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NAMES OF THE PHRENOLOGICAL ORGANS 



AFFECTIVE. . 
(. PROPENSITIES 
i. Amaivferuss. 
Z. rmlopreyenibiivent 
». Concentr ' . tTWSi 
'•olnhdbisLut. •■;. 
"i. Adhesiveness. 
'. Cdrtibt^ivenenr 
i. Destr-udtrenes i 
iaJlimenl-Lven? SS. 
i6.L<n-e,fLiff. 
'. Secri-tweness. 



II. SLNTIMENTS 

H.LovcofaproZalio . 



IS. Cpnscicnluiuiiteu 

11 Hope, 

1E Wonder 

IS. IdaaZily 

W* Love. of t/i i nttlvr m 

10. Wit erWirttfidl-nc. ! 

id JwulaiLon. 



INTELLECTUAL. 
L PEHCEPTII/E I! \HEEf.EcriV£ 



, Stsr. 



25. WdgKb 

7.6 Colourmf- 
IT. Locality. 

19. Q rati: 

31 Ivme. 



LECTURES 



ON 



PHRENOLOGY; 



By GEORGE COMBE, Esq. 



INCLUDING ITS APPLICATION TO THE PRESENT AND PROSPECTIVE 
CONDITION OF THE UNITED STATES. 



WITH NOTES, AN INTRODUCTORY ESSAY, AND AN HISTORICAL 
SKETCH : 



BY ANDREW BOARDMAN, M. D. 



THIRD EDITION, WITH CORRECTIONS AND ADDITIONS. 



"HW IS TRUTH, THOUGH XT ENMITY WITH THE PHILOSOPHY OF AGES." — GalL 

NEW YORK: 

PUBLISHED BY JAMES P. GIFFING. 

LONDON— SIMPKIN, MARSHALL, & CO. ;;;;\ 

EDINBURGH — McLACHLAN & STEWART. 

1841. 



c 



n\ 



Cape Cottage, Portland, Maine. 
30th July, 1839. 
ANDREW BOARDMAN, ESQ. 

My dear Sir, 

I have read your 
reports of my Lectures on Phrenology, and beg to 
express my satisfaction with their essential correct- 
ness. You ask if I have any objection to your pub- 
lishing the reports in a separate volume. — As the 
American publishers of my works, Messrs. Marsh, 
Capen, Lyon & Co. of Boston, have given their con- 
sent, you have my full concurrence in your doing 
so* 

I am. 

My dear Sir, 

Yours sincerely. 

GEORGE COMBE. 




Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1840, by 

ANDREW BOARDMAN, 

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the Southern District 

of New- York. 



PREFACE 

TO THE SECOND EDITION. 



On the arrival of Mr. Combe in New York, I determined, in an 
humble way, to aid his efforts to diffuse a knowledge of that science to 
which he has so long been devoted, and to the advancement of which 
he has consecrated his future life. I accordingly offered to a publisher 
condensed reports of these lectures. They were accepted, eagerly 
sought after by the public, and copied entire or in part by various pa- 
pers in the United States and Canada. On Mr. Combe's second visit 
to this city, I furnished the New Yorker with more enlarged reports, 
which were copied into the Southern Literary Messenger ; and being 
urged by several distinguished medical gentlemen to correct and pub- 
lish them collectively, I formed an arrangement in accordance with 
their recommendation, after writing to Mr. Combe for permission, and 
receiving from him his " hearty consent." 

Since the publication of the first edition, Mr. Combe has left our 
shores, but the fruits of his labors remain with us. His footsteps c^n 
be traced in beneficent results. The phrenologists of America return 
him their sincere and hearty thanks, and the first in science, philoso- 
phy, and philanthropy, remember him with unfeigned respect and ad- 
miration. His visit has been highly efficacious in correcting prevalent 
errors concerning the foundation, scope, and utility of phrenology, and 
in attracting more closely to it the attention of many of the best minds 
in the country. I have endeavored, among other things, to render the 
following work a monument of his labors in the United States, 

New York, August, 1840. A. B. 



MR. COMBE: 

HIS LABORS AND RECEPTION 
IN THE UNITED STATES. 



To those who have not seen nor heard Mr. Combe, the following 
sketch may possess some value, and aid to invest the succeeding reports 
with a portion of that interest which the presence of the distinguished 
lecturer inspired. 

Mr. Combe is rather tall and spare, with a narrow chest, large head, 
and nervous. bilious temperament. His hair, of silvery whiteness, is so 
thinly scattered as to leave considerably exposed his beautifully devel- 
oped frontal and coronal regions, indicating that fine predominance of 
the moral and intellectual forces which his works so eminently manifest. 
The reflective, however, are evidently his most effective faculties. His 
form is slightly bent, not from lack of Self-Esteem, but from habitual 
thoughtfulness and feeble physical organization. This slight bend and 
thoughtful aspect, with the snowy whiteness of his hair, give the im- 
pression that he is much older than the kirk-register allows ; the news- 
papers generally have stated his age at sixty ; though he has, in fact, 
passed his fiftieth birth-day in the United States. He has enough of hi9 
" native wood-note wild" to indicate that he sprung from " the land of 
the mountain and flood," but not so much as to impair distinctness of 
utterance or correctness of pronunciation. 

Mr. Combe is not a splendid lecturer, nor a brilliant lecturer, nor a 



MR. COMBE. V 

fascinating lecturer. The current coin of eulogy, '• gorgeous fancy," 
"thrilling eloquence," "withering sarcasm," "effulgent grace," would 
be all inappropriate if applied to him. His language is full and flow- 
ing; his style familiar, chaste, earnest, and unambitious. You see from 
the first that he has a passion for truth; that his great aim is to enlighten 
the understanding, elevate and purify the feelings; and in his intentnes9 
of purpose to accomplish that aim, all clap-trap artifices are elbowed 
off the stage. 

His subject is arranged in natural consecutiveness in his own mind, 
and imparted in that order to the minds of others. His ideas do not 
bustle and jostle for precedence, each has its adjusted place wherewith 
it must be content. He states his propositions clearly, and proceeds at 
once to adduce the most striking analogies, appropriate illustrations, 
and convincing proofs, making every proposition, as far as practicable, 
the foundation of that which succeeds. By this methodical mode of 
procedure, the memory is greatly aided, and the judgment much 
gratified. 

It is said by Voltaire, that the art of interesting is the art of writing. 
The saying is eminently applicable to lecturing, and this art Mr. Combe 
possesses in a great degree ; few can better rivet attention, or more 
intensely interest the nobler feelings of our nature. This sketch would 
be incomplete without reference to that uuder current of hnmour which 
so often sparkles to the surface, lighting up with peculiar brilliancy the 
lecturer's vivacious eye, and affording amusement while it is used to 
impress on the memory important facts and principles. 

In conclusion, I would say that the lecturer creates an interest in 
himself as great almost as in his subject, not by egotism in any of its 
Protean forms, but by the union of profundity of thought with simpli- 
city of manners and benevolence of disposition. As he proceeds, the 
conviction wins imperceptibly on the mind that he forms one of that 
noble class — the great and good. 



Mr. Combe landed in New-York, September, 1838. His arrival was 
hailed by phrenologists with peculiar interest and pleasure, and he was 
received by all with the respect and courtesy due to his high character 
and beneficent labours. On the 10th of October following, he commenced 
at Boston his first course of lectures in the United States, to a somewhat 
numerous and highly intelligent audience, a great proportion consisting 
of members of the learned professions. Of these lectures, the Boston 
Medical and Surgical Journal remarks, "With a few interruptions, we 
have bestowed a thorough attention on the lectures of this distinguished 
philosopher, since their commencement in Boston. We feel no half- 



VI MR. COMBE. 

way sentiments upon the matter, nor are we disposed to suppress what 
we unflinchingly acknowledge to be true, viz. that Mr. Combe i3 a 
profound man, who gains upon the understanding from day to day, by 
the simple presentations of truth. He must be regarded as an able, 
nay, unrivalled teacher of a system which can alone explain the pheno- 
mena of mind." At the close of this course, November 14th, 1839, the 
audience passed a series of resolutions highly commendatory of himself 
and of his lectures. I wrote to the secretary of that meeting requesting 
a copy of the resolutions, which unfortunately he had misplaced. On 
the succeeding evening, a social entertainment was given to Mr. Combe 
at the Tremont House, at which he was presented with a valuable silver 
vase of chaste and elegant workmanship. 

Mr. Combe's second course of lectures commenced in New-York, 
on the 19th of November, and closed on the 24th of December, 1838. 
Here his audience was much of the same character as at Boston. 

At the close of his course, the following resolutions were unanimous- 
ly adopted : 

** Resolved, That the members of the class who have attended the course of phre- 
nological lectures delivered by George Combe, Esq., at Clinton Hall, entertain a 
lively sense of obligation to the distinguished lecturer for the valuable information 
he has communicated to us during the lectures just closed ; that we have been 
greatly pleased and instructed by the clear, felicitous, and convincing manner m 
which he has imparted to us his varied and profound knowledge of the philosophy 
of mind ; and that we regard phrenology as eminently calculated to advance the 
cause of education, to improve the institutions of society and of government, and 
to elevate the condition of the human race. 

" Resolved, That in Mr. Combe we recognize the most successful advocate of 
phrenological science, the philosopher and the philanthropist ; and that phrenology, 
as explained and illustrated by him, claims, in our opinion, the attention of all 
those who would investigate mind philosophically, and who desire the diffusion of 
truth and the exaltation of the moral and intellectual faculties of man. 

" Rtsolved, That in the application of phrenology to the investigation of human 
eharacter, and the practical purposes of life, we perceive a new era in mental and 
physiological science, in which we believe human enquiry will be greatly facilitated, 
and the amount of human happiness essentially increased. 

" Resolved, That inasmuch as prejudice may deter many individuals from attend- 
ing Mr. Combe's lectures in other cities of our country, which he proposes to visit, 
and as the truth and importance of phrenology can be understood and appreciated 
only after an examination of its principles, we recommend to such citizens an 
attendance upon his entire course; being convinced that they will find their own 
advantage in doing so, and that they wiil thereby become better able to judge of 
the truth and practical utility of the science. 

11 Resolved, That entertaining these views and feeisngs, we take great pleasure 
in tendering an expression of them to Mr. Ccmbe, and in adding our most hearty 
wishes for his personal happiness, and for his long-continued usefulness to hi3 
fellow-men. 

"Resohed, That Silas Jones, Esq., Counsellor at Law and Superintendent of 



MR. COMBE. Vll 

the New-York Institution for the Blind ; Judah Hammond, Esq., Judge of the 
Marine Court ; John B. Scott, Esq., Judge of the Marine Court ; Loring D. Chap- 
in, er of the New-York Legislature, <kc. ; Robert Sedgwick, Esq., 
Counsellor at La V. Lee, M. D., Professor of Materia Medica in the New- 
York University ; B. F. Joslin, M. D., Professor of Mathematics and Natural Philo- 
sophy in the New-York University; E. Parmley, M. D. ; J. Neilson, M. D. ; J. W. 
Francis, M. D ; A. S. Doane, Professor of Physiology in the New-York University i 
Caleb Ticknor, Professor of Hygiene in the New-York University j and Joel Fos- 
ter, M. D., be a committee to present to Mr. Combe the foregoing resolutions, and 
to publish the same in the newspapers of this city." 

John B. Scott, Chairman. 
New-Yokk, Dec. 22, 1S33. 

On four of the evenings unappropriated to his phrenological course, 
Mr. Combe lectured to the New-York Mercantile Library Associa 
tion, on the physical constitution of man and its relations to the mind. 
These lectures were attended by overwhelming audiences. 

Mr. Combe's third course was commenced in Philadelphia, on the 
4th of January, and ended on the 8th of February, 1839. The num- 
bers in attendance ranged from 441 to 607, the former number being 
that with which he commenced. The great attentions which he received 
in the most scientific city of the Union, must have been peculiarly grati- 
fying to the lecturer. At the close of this course, the following resolu- 
tions were unanimously adopted : 

" Resolved, That they have listened with gTeat pleasure and mental profit to the 
comprehensive views of human nature, and to the elucidations of individual char- 
acter, set forth by Mr. Combe, in his lectures just completed ; and, that, in these, 
they recognize many important suggestions for the improvement of Education and 
Jurisprudence, and the consequent increase of the happiness of mankind. 

M Resolved, That a committee be appointed to convey to Mr. Combe the preceding 
resolution, and a wish, on the part of this meeting, that he will be induced to repeat 
his course of lectures on phrenology." 

The following gentlemen were appointed a committee to carry into effect the 
foregoing resolutions, viz. — Nicholas Biddle, LL. D., Joseph Hartshorne, M. D., 
Benjamin W. Richards, William Gibson. M. D., Thomas Harris, M. D., Alexander 
Dallas Bache, Rembrandt Peale, Charles Picot, John Bell, M. D. 

In compliance with the last resolution, and the earnest solicitations 
of many private individuals, Mr. Combe delivered a second course at 
Philadelphia, between the 2d of March and the 6th of April inclusive. 
Having meanwhile visited Washington and other places, and delivered 
at Wilmington a short course of lectures on Physical and Mental 
Education. 

At the close of Mr. Combe's second course of Lectures on Phreno- 
logy, in the Hall of the Musical Fund, April 6, 1839, 

On motion, Professor Samuel B. Wyhe was called to the chair, and 
George McClellan, M. D. appointed Secretary. 



Vlll MR. COMBE. 

The Rev. Chairman addressed the meeting on the propriety of mak- 
ing some public expression of the satisfaction which the very numerous 
class in attendance had derived from the lectures. 

On motion, the following resolutions, offered by Mr. Thomas Fisher, 
were unanimously adopted: 

" Resolved, That the class have listened with great interest to the able and 
highly instructive exposition of Phrenology which Mr. Combe has offered us. 

44 Resolved, That whatever may have been our previous acquaintance with the 
subject, the lectures of Mr. Combe have impressed us with much respect for its 
practical importance, and with the kindliest feeling for the learned lecturer, 

" Resolved, That Phrenology is recognized and commended as a science founded 
in Nature, by a large portion of the most distinguished anatomists on both sides 
of the Atlantic, and that we believe it to be the only adequate illustration exist- 
ing, of the wonderfully various manifestations of the human mind. 

" Resolved, That it will afford us pleasure, and that we believe it will be highly 
acceptable to this community, that Mr. Combe should make it consistent with his 
arrangements in other cities, to give, during next winter, another course in Phila- 
delphia. 

"Resolved, That a committee of seven gentlemen be appointed to communicate 
to Mr. Combe a copy of these resolutions."' 

The following gentlemen were accordingly appointed — Samuel B. Wylie, D. D., 
Samuel George Morton, M. D., George McClellan, M. D., Charles S. Coxe, Esq., 
Joseph Hartshorne, M. D., Thomas Gilpin, Esq., Thomas Fisher. 

During Mr. Combe's stay in Philadelphia, a number of gentlemen 
in New-York were engaged in organizing a class, that they might obtain 
the services of Mr. Combe, a second time. An invitation was sent, and 
Mr. Combe consented to repeat his course in New- York. He com- 
menced on the 13th of April, and closed on the ISth of May. 

At a meeting of the Class, held on the 15th of May, the following 
gentlemen were appointed a Committee to prepare and report a paper 
and resolutions, expressive of the sentiments of the Class upon the sub- 
ject of said Lectures, and their feelings towards Mr. Combe as a Lec- 
turer, to wit: — Rev. Mr. Sawyer, Mr. Boardman, Rev. Mr. Sunder- 
land, and Mr. E. P. Hurlbut. On the 18th, Mr. Huribut, from that 
Committee, reported the following paper and resolutions, which were 
unanimously adopted : 

" The second course of Lectures upon Phrenology, delivered in this city by Mr. 
George Combe, of Edinburgh, having closed, the members of his class are desirous 
of expressing their views of the science which he has taught, and the sentiments 
entertained by them toward the distinguished Lecturer, personally. 

"He has presented to us the wonderful discovery of Dr. Gall, and its practical 
influence upon the character and condition of man. That discovery was charac- 
terized by the most minute attention to the laws of our organization, by the most 
patient observation of facts, and by the deduction of inevitable conclusions from 
them. 



MR. COMBE. 1X 

" Dr. Gall abandoned the school of metaphysical speculation ; and taking to the 
observation of Nature, he at length presented to the world his great discovery of 
the true functions of the brain, and of its various parts. We now look to Nature 
for the foundation of the noble science of mental philosophy ; and the enlightened 
mind of the old world, and of the new, is now engaged in illustrating and estab- 
lishing it. 

" Our own country has been twice honoured by visits from the earliest and most 
gifted advocates of this science. The noble and accomplished Spurzheim, a name 
sacred to every friend of man, fell a victim to disease upon our shores, while just 
opening the rich fountain of his well-stored intellect to an American audience. 
The language of eulogy fails altogether when employed upon so noble a nature as 
his. 

" But for this we thank him — that he directed the mind of a Combe to the sublime 
truths he had himself embraced, and allowed his mantle to descend upon the gifted 
individual to whom we have all listened with intense interest and delight. How 
nobly has he executed in cur country the work which his * great and lamented 
master' had begun ! 

" He came not among us to earn applause, for of that he had already enough ; 
nor treasure, **c we are happy to know of that he had no occasion to go in search. 
He came not spiring controversy— being no less distinguished for his love of peace 
than for his devotion to science. But he came as a minister from the enlightened 
mind of the old world to treat with the intellect of the new, upon matters of the 
deepest concern to the human race. 

" His message was of the highest importance to us all. It interested us as stu- 
dents of Nature's laws, as observers of their manifestations, as speculators in 
mental philosophy, and as friends of education. It opened new views of man's 
moral and intellectual character, and well nigh explained the mystery of thought, 
that most sublime emanation from the Divinity of Nature. It taught the discipline 
of youth — how to inform their intellect, to elevate their sentiments, and to mode- 
rate their passions. It pointed the way of happiness to man by exhibiting the 
sources of human virtue, and its effects ;— the causes of vice, and its effects upon 
his condition in life. It presented the most rational and humane view of moral 
responsibility, and explained and enforced the whole duty of man. And in this, his 
last and crowning Lecture, Mr. Combe has opened the treasures of his knowledge 
of the political institutions of the old world, faithfully portrayed their defects, their 
subversion of human liberty and happiness, and contrasted with them the free 
institutions of our own country, and their happy influences upon the moral and 
intellectual condition of our citizens. 

" And now, having attended upon the gifted Lecturer through his various illus- 
trations — his well-authenticated facts, and heard his sound deductions drawn from 
them, we hasten to express our profound sense of obligation to him for the instruc- 
tion he has afforded us, and our high appreciation of the doctrines he has so ably 
maintained. 

" Be it therefore, 

" Resolved, That we regard Phrenology as having its foundation in the truths 
of Nature, and as entitled in point of dignity and interest, to rank high among the 
natural sciences. 

" Resolved, That we regard the practical application of Phrenological principles 
to physical training, to moral and mental education, to the treatment of the insane, 
and to criminal legislation, as of the highest importance and utility ; and we in- 
dulge the hope of witnessing in our own day the beneficial results of such applica- 



X MR. COMBE. 

tion in the increased happiness of our homes in the improved condition of om 
seminaries of learning, in more enlightened legislation, and in the more benign 
influences of our civil and religious institutions. 

" Resolved, That the extensive knowledge and sound philosophy which Mr. Combe 
has exhibited in the course of his Lectures, have inspired us with a profound 
respect for his intellectual power and attainments ; and while the simplicity of 
manner and the purity of style with which he has conveyed the most interesting 
truths evince a highly cultivated taste, the generous enthusiasm with which he 
has embarked in the cause of humanity commands an admiration of his sentiments 
equal to the respect we entertain for his understanding. 

"Resolved, That, entertaining such opinions of the science with which Mr. 
Combe has identified his life and fame, and such sentiments toward him as a lec- 
turer and a man, we beg to tender to him the expression of our heartfelt gratitude 
for the instruction and delight he has afforded us, and our kindest wishes for his 
prosperity and happiness through life. 

*' On motion, it was Resolved, That the gentlemen who reported the foregoing 
paper and resolutions constitute a Committee to present the same to Mr. 
Combe." 

T. J. SAWYER, Chairman. 

A. Boardman, Secretary. 

[second edition.] 

On the evening that the Committee was appointed to draw up the foregoing resolutions, 
it was mentioned that a number of gentlemen, desirous of evincing in a more enduring 
manner their sense of Mr. Combo's merits, and of the important doctrines which he pro- 
mulgated, had commenced a subscription for that purpose. The announcement was 
cordially received — a meeting was called at Mr. Hurlbut's office the ensuing evening, at 
•which the following gentlemen were appointed a committee with full powers: Mr. E. P. 
Hurlbut, Mr. VVm. J. Mullen, Mr. S. W. Dewey, and Mr. A. Boardman. 

They determined on presenting to Mr. Combe a silver vase, and took their measures 
accordingly This was completed in September, 1839, was exhibited at the Fair of the 
American Institute, and the gold medal awarded to the manufacturer on account of its su- 
perior workmanship, being, by the judges, considered one of the most exquisite specimens 
of art ever produced in the United States. The vase is of Grecian model, having on one 
side three medallic likenesses, — one of Gall, one of Spurzheim, one of Mr. Combe, and 
the Phrenologist's motto, first proposed by Sir G. S. Mackenzie, " Res non verba quceso." 
The other side contains two medallic likenesses — one of Dr. Benjamin Rush, and one of 
Dr. Charles Caldwell, together with the following inscription : — 

PRESENTED 

TO 

GEORGE COMBE, OF EDINBURGH, 

BY THE CLASS IN ATTENDANCE UPON 
HIS LECTURES DELIVERED IN THE 

CITY OF NEW- YORK, 

In 1839, 

ON THE SUBJECT OF 

PHRENOLOGY: 

In testimony of their profound respect for the distinguished Lecturer, 

and of their belief in and admiration of 

THE NOBLE SCIENCE, 

OF WHICH HE IS THE ABLEST LIVING TEACHER AND EXPOUNDER. 

On the base of the vase are chased the heads of various animals, as emblemauca. of 
comparative Phrenology. 



MR. COMBE. XI 

Too much credit cannot be given to Mr. S. VV. Dewey, for his great assiduity in 
attending to the general business of the committee, nor to Mr. Vvilliaui Morrisou, by whom 
the plan of the vase was drawn, and the vase itself executed wj'.Ji Buch oxquituto skilL 
This testimonial, from, the New- York class, was presented to Mr. Combo on the 23d of 
i, 1840, and as li is appearance on Uiat occasion may pioperly be considered the ter- 
mination of his Phrenological labors m the United States, 1 here record the proceedings. 

The \;im> pras presented at Howard's Hotel, in presence of the subscribers and others, 
by a committee consisting of the following geuilemen: Mr. E. P. Uurlbut, Rev. T. J 
Sawyer, Dr. Poster, Mr. 3. W. Dewey, Mr. E. C. Benedict, and Dr. Boaidmau. The 
chairman of the committee. Mr. Hurlbut, thus addressed Mr. Combe : 

"Sir: — The members of the class who attended your lectures, delivered in this city 
during the past year, have instructed us to present you with this vase, which, in their names, 
we now beg you to accept. 

" It bears upou one side three medallie likenesses, exquisitely wrought— one of Gall, to 
whose great discoveries in nature we are indebted tor the true science of mind j — one of 
Spurzhehn, who first aided in illustrating and establishing it; — and the other ot yourself, 
tJieir tirsl and favorite British disciple. 

" This high and just association will ever endure. He who founded, and they who first 
illustrated and advanced the true science of intellectual aud moral philosophy, will descend 
the stream of time together, shedding lustre upon future ages, and living m the grateful 
memories of generations to come alter us. 

" Upon this vase are also presented other medallic likenesses ; one of Rush, whose far- 
seeing eye, penetrating the veil of nature, which Gall afterward lifted, had visions of some 
of the great truths which he demonstrated ; and the other of Caldwell, who was tin; first 
among our countrymen to embrace and defend the doctrines of the great German with a 
boldness and vigor peculiarly his own. 

"We feel a patriotic pride, in associating the names of two of our own countrymen 
with the most distinguished names of Europe, connected with mental science. 

" You are soon to return to your native land — to your and our fathers' country. 

" Your visit here has awakened the interest of thousands, in your welfare — of thou- 
sands who are not wanting in gratitude for the instruction and delight^ which your dis- 
courses have afforded them — but who have had no opportunity to manifest, as we do on 
this most favored occasion, their high appreciation of your character aim attainments, and 
the enduring impression which your visit has made upon their minds. Their and our best 
wishes attend you. 

" Receive, then, this vase, (the inscription upon which is also graven upon our hearts;) 
and bear it to your home — a tribute to truth, and to the champion of truth ; and rest assured, 
that in our estimation, we could be called to perform no prouder otfic^, than 10 render a 
just tribute of respect and admiration to the author of 'The Constitution of Man.' " 

Mr. Combe received the vase, and spoke as follows : 

" Gkntlk.men : — Although I cannot correctly say that I am unused to public speaking, 
yet. on occasions like the present, words fail me to express what 1 feel. I accept of your 
handsome and generous gift with the highest gratification. The classical elegance of 
form, the exquisite workmanship, and the appropriate devices which it bears, render it a 
gem of beauty. As a mere physical object, indeed, its merits in this respect have been 
appreciated in this city; it has gained the gold medal offered lor the encouragejnent of 
art, and it will successfully sustain the strictest scrutiny of the distinguished artisans of 
the country to which I am about to cany it. But it is as a moral monument of your favorable 
estimation of my labors among you, and of the interest which you have taken in the science 
of mind, that it possesses to me an inestimable value. To Dr. Gall alone belongs the glory 
of having discovered the functions of the brain: Dr. Spurzheim generously devoted his 
whole life to the extension, improvement and diffusion of this splendid product of Gall's 
originality and genius: and it is difficult to do justice to the noble sacrifice which he made 
to the cause of truth. When Dr. Spurzheim became the disciple of Gall, no human 
being defended Phrenology except i!s author: and he not only stood alone, but encoun- 
tered the hostility of civilized Europe, from the emperor to the peasant, a few high- 
minded individuals only excepted, who were silenced by the hand of power if they rose 
superior to the influence of scorn. It is no slender honor to me that you associate mc 
with such men. Mine has been a flowery path compared with theirs. It is true that, 
when still a young man, without name, fortune, high associations, or any external 
advantages to sustain me against public disapprobation, I fearlessly risked every 
prospect which the future held forth to my ambition, and became the defender of Phre- 
nology when it had few other friends in the British isles. Professional ruin was prophe- 
ts the inevitable consequence of this, as it was then styled, rash and inconsiderate 
step. But for the encouragement of the young and ardent worshippers of truth, I am 
enabled to say that these auguries never were realized. Many were the shafts of ridicule 
that were hurled against me, and bitter the taunts poured forth by a hostile press; but 
they never penetrated to my soul, disturbed my peace, nor impeded my prosperity. 1 
mention this, not in the spirit of vain-glory, but to confirm the young in the assurance, that 
the path of truth and independence may be safely trodden even against a world in arms, 
if courage and perseverance he added to prudence in the advance. 

" Allow me to say, that your gift receives a high additional interest from bearing also 
the portraits of Dr. Benjamin Rush and Dr. Charles Caldwell, both distinguished sons of 
the United States. The former supported, with admirable sagacity and eloquence, the 
connection between the brain and the mind, and proved the influence of the condition of 



Xll MR. COMBE. 

the organization on the mental manifestations. Of Dr. Charles Caldwell it is unnecessary 
for me here to express an opinion. His profound intellect and eloquent pen, his various 
and valuable attainments, his energy and industry, courage and perseverance, have pro*- 
cured him honor as one of the ablest and most successful defenders of Phrenology, where- 
ever the science itself is known. It will be a lasting gratification to me to look on the 
effigies of such men, in hours of festivity and relaxation, when your gift will bring them 
in all the lineaments of nature before me. 

" I have sojourned among you now for tbe greater part of two years, and I am about to 
leave your country. That I have experienced some inconvenience, and encountered 
several disagreeable incidents during my stay, is only what belongs to the lot of humanity ; 
but these sink into insignificance when contrasted with the generous cordiality and 
enlightened sympathy which have been showered upon me by yourselves and your fellow 
citizens. I have held converse with many enlightened minds in this country ; minds that 
do honor to human nature ; whose philanthropy embraces not only patriotism, but an all- 
pervading interest in the advancement of the human race in knowledge, virtue, religion, 
and enjoyment, in every clime. Many of these admirable men are deeply interested in 
Phrenology. The gifted individual* to whom Massachusetts owes an eternal debt of 
gratitude for his invaluable efforts in improving her educational establishments, has 
assured me that the new philosophy is a light in his path to which he attaches the highest 
value. You, sir, have shown, in a late valuable work that has issued from your pen, that 
you are penetrated to the core with this last and best of human sciences;! and many who 
now hear me have expressed similar testimonials to its worth. T return, therefore, highly 
gratified with much that 1 have experienced among you, and 1 shall not need this emblem 
of your respect to maintain the recollection of such men as I have described, engraven on 
my affections for ever. Allow me to add one brief expression of admiraiion and gratitude 
to a young countryman of my own, Mr. William Morrison, from Edinburgh, whose exquisite 
skill chased these admirable ornaments on your gift. Among his first efforts in art was a 
wax model which he executed of my head in Edinburgh. Many years ago he came to 
this country, was highly esteemed as a man and as an artist, and the embellishment of this 
vase was almost the last act of his life. Ten days have scarcely elapsed since he was laid 
in a premature grave. It would have delighted me to have addressed to his living ear, 
the tribute which I now offer to his memory 

" Again, gentlemen, I assure you of my heartfelt gratitude and lasting respect, and 
with best wishes for your happiness and prosperity, bid you farewell." 

Tbe labors of Mr. Combe in the United States comprised the following courses of Lec- 
tures : 

1. Boston, begun 10th Oct., ended 14th Nov.. 1838. . . 16 Lectures. 

2. New- York, begun 19th Nov., ended 24th Dec, 1838, . . 16 

3. New-York, on education, within the same period, . 4 „ 

4. Philadelphia, begun 4th .Ian., ended 8th Feb., 1839, . . 16 

5. Wilmington, on education, during the interval between the last 

and succeeding course, ...... 4 r , 

6. Philadelphia, begun 2d March, ended 6th April, 1839, . . 16 „ 

7. New- York, begun 13rh April, ended 18th May, 1839, . . 16 

8. Hartford, begun 27th Sept., ended 25th Oct., 1839, . . 12 

9. Boston, begun 1st Nov., ended 27th Nov., 1839, . . . 12 „ 

10. Boston, on education, (at the Odeon,) begun 29th Nov., ended 6th 

Dec, 1839, 3 > 

11. Boston, on education, (at the Lyceum,) begun 5th Dec, ended 

26th Dec, 1839, 4 

12. Salem, on education, begun 9th Dec, ended 13th Dec, 1839. . 3 „ 

13. Lowell, on education, begun 16th Dec. ended 20th Dec, 1839, 3 „ 

14. Worcester, on education, begun 24th Dec, 1839, ended 2d Jan., 

1840 4 

15. Springfield, on education, begun 3d Jan.. ended 8th Jan., 1840, 3 „ 

16. Albany, begun 13th Jan., ended 8th Feb., 1840 . . 13 

17. New-Haven, begun. 17th Feb., ended 16th March, 1840, . 13 
Making 158 Lectures, each occupying two hours. 

Mr. Combe arrived in America by the Great Western steamship, in September, 1838, 
and sailed for Europe in the British Queen steamship, June 1st, 1840. 



* Hon. Horace Mann. 

t Mr. Combe here referred" to a work recently published by Mr. Hurrbut, " Civil Office and Political 

Ethics." 



ESSAY 



PHRENOLOGICAL MODE OF INVESTIGATION. 



On its being observed to a scientific pretender, that facts 
were at variance with a hypothesis which he had announced, 
he replied indignantly, " So much the worse for the facts." 
Like this was the language of almost all expounders of natu- 
ral science antecedent to the seventeenth century. They 
worshipped the shadow of a mighty name. The Aristotelian 
philosophy held undisputed sway. Mahomedan, Jew, 
and Christian, vied with each other in hugging the chain 
of scholastic bondage, deeming a quotation from the stagi- 
rite adequate to establish the grossest absurdity, or refute 
the most obvious truth. So far did this infatuation reach, 
that, in some of the Universities, statutes were framed, re- 
quiring the professors to promise, on oath, to follow no guide 
but Aristotle ; and the French parliament, under Francis I., 
pronounced Peter Ramus to be " insolent, impudent, and 
a liar;'' and for all coming time, condemned, suppressed and 
abolished his books, prohibiting him from copying or even 
reading them, because he had publicly disputed the doc- 



14 THE ARISTOTELIAN PHILOSOPHY. 

trines of the Greek ; nay, to attack these doctrines was, by 
legislative acts, rendered punishable by the galleys ! The 
following incident in the life of Galileo well illustrates this 
prostration of reason to authority. 

The Grecian philosopher had asserted that if two bodies, 
of like material, were let fall at the same time, from the 
same height, the heaviest would reach the ground as much 
sooner than the other, as it exceeded that other in weight ; 
that is, if it were fifty times as heavy, it would fall with fifty 
times the velocity. Galileo appealed from Aristotle to ob- 
servation, and maintained that, with the exception of a very 
slight difference, occasioned by the opposing air, both bo- 
dies would reach the earth in equal times. This proposi- 
tion was rejected as false, and scowled on as presumptuous ; 
so to demonstrate its truth, he took his opponents to the 
famous tower of Pisa, and let fall two weights from its sum- 
mit ; yet with the evidence of their eyes to the equally rapid 
descent, with the simultaneous sounds still ringing in their 
ears, the Aristotelians turned sneeringly and unbelievingly 
away, quoting the stagirite ! Through such thick clouds 
of error, prejudice, and bigotry, difficult indeed it was, for 
the light of science to pierce, and if now and then a ray of 
truth, from some bright and independent genius, struggled 
through the enshrouding darkness, it was like a solitary star 
on a dreary night, rendering " darkness visible." 

The Greeks having settled it in their own minds that a 
circle is the most perfect of figures, concluded that the 
movements of the heavenly bodies must be performed in 
exact circles, and with uniform motions, when the plainest 
observations demonstrated the contrary. 

"In the sixth century, Cosmas Indopleustes gravely 
taught, that the earth was an oblong plane, surrounded by an 
impassable ocean ; an immense mountain in the form of a 
cone, or sugar-loaf, placed in the north, was the centre, 
around which sun, moon, and stars daily revolved ; the 
shape of this mountain, and the slanting motion of the sun, 



THE ARISTOTELIAN PHILOSOPHY. 15 

accounted for the variable length of the days, and the 
changes of the seasons. The heavens were supposed to 
be an immense arch, one side of which rested on the earth, 
and the other on two mighty pillars beyond the sea ; un- 
der this vault a multitude of angelic beings were employed 
In guiding the motions of the stars." — (Account ofJLord 
Bacon's Novum Organon Scientiarum, p. 5.) 

In the sixteenth century, Gerolamo Fracastorn, in his 
Homocentrica, considered one of the best productions of 
the day, maintained that all the stars are carried round the 
earth, fastened to solid concentric spheres, and to prove the 
necessity of such agency he " reasons" thus : " The plan- 
eta are observed to move one while forwards, then back- 
wards, now to the right, now to the left, quicker and slower 
by turns; which variety is consistent with a compound 
structure like that of an animal, which possesses in itself 
various springs and principles of action, but is totally at 
variance with our notions of a simple and undecaying sub- 
stance, like the heavens and heavenly bodies. For that 
which is simple is altogether single, and singleness is of 
one only nature, and one nature can be the cause of only 
one effect ; and therefore it is altogether impossible that the 
stars of themselves should move with such variety of motion. 
And besides, if the stars move by themselves, they either 
move in an empty spnee, or in a fluid medium like air. 
But there can not be such a thing as empty space, and if 
there were such a medium, the motion of the stars would 
occasion condensation and rarefaction in different parts of 
it, which is the property of corruptible bodies, and where 
they exist some violent motion is going on ; but the hea- 
vens are incorruptible, and are not susceptible of violent 
motion, and hence, and from many other similar reasons, 
any one who is not obstinate may satisfy himself that 
the stars cannot have any independent motion."* Such were 

* See life of Galileo Galilei, by Driukwater. 



16 THE BACONIAN PHILOSOPHY. 

the loose assertions, rash assumptions, and wild imagi- 
nings, dignified by the name Philosophy. Men strove to 
explain phenomena by reasoning on their own conjectures, 
by hypotheses fanciful as fairy tales, and, at the best, by a 
loose application of general principles, drawn with reck- 
less haste, and presumption, from a few ill-observed facts. 
This was the prevalent mode of philosophising. Had such 
speculations and reasonings been merely the occasional ebul- 
litions of wayward minds, to adduce them as characteristic 
of the philosophy of the ancient and middle ages, would 
be as unfair as it would, in after times, to adduce the anti- 
phrenological tirades of the present day, as characteristic 
of the philosophy of the age in which we live. 

At the commencement of the seventeenth century appear 
edLord Bacon, one of the most remarkable men the world 
has produced. With " his supreme and searching glance, he 
ranged over the whole circle of the sciences," detected the ab- 
surdities of the schoolmen, and exposed them with a vigor- 
ous and unsparing hand. He dethroned the Aristotelian 
idol which had forages received the blind fealty of a world, 
and, fortunately for science and humanity, attempted not to 
substitute an idol of his own, but pointed to nature as alone 
worthy of homage. "Man," said he, in the opening sen- 
tence of his immortal work, " the servant and interpreter 
of nature, understands and reduces to practice just so much 
of nature's laws as he has actually experienced, more he 
can neither know nor achieve." Now this experience Ba- 
con maintained must be acquired by observation. To ob- 
serve facts, then, is the first great business of the investiga- 
tor. Facts may be divided into the presented and pro- 
duced. The first being such as nature offers to our obser- 
vation without any aid or interference of ours ; the second 
being such as occur in consequence of our putting in ac- 
tion, causes and agents over which we have control. In- 
stances of the last class are usually called experiments, 
and their production and observation Lord Bacon signifi- 



THE BACONIAN PHILOSOPHY. 17 

cantly terms " asking questions of nature." Thus the 
increase of size in the human head, from infancy to adult 
age, is a fact presented to our observation. But the division 
of the anterior root of a spinal nerve, for the purpose of 
observing the loss of motion, is a produced instance or expe- 
riment. It must be remembered, however, that if facts be 
well scrutinized and verified, they are of equal value, whe- 
ther presented or produced : but the former, are almost 
the only ones employed in phrenological investigations. 

Observation, then, being the only true means of laying 
a foundation for the discovery and establishment of truth, 
we should dismiss from our mind, all preconceived notions 
of what should be or might be, and tr^ carefully to ascertain 
what is. This rule was neglected by Ludovico Dolci and 
others who maintained that the cerebellum must be the 
seat of memory, because its low and out of the way situa- 
tion so admirably fitted it for a mental store-house. It was 
adhered to by Gall, when, neglecting the assertions of those 
who maintained that mental capacity ought and must, at 
birth, be equal in all, he observed and maintained that vast 
differences do in reality exist. 

But we must bear in mind that isolated facts are of small 
value. They must be brought together carefully and pa- 
tiently ; must be rigidly scrutinized and verified, compared 
and classified, for the purpose of ascertaining some relation 
of sign and power, cause and effect, general principle, 
quality, or mode of activity. To achieve such results is, 
indeed, the great object and triumph of the Baconian phi- 
losophy. By such observation, comparison, and classifica- 
tion, it has been discovered for example, that a certain state 
of the barometer indicates a certain elevation above the 
level of the sea; that increase of heat causes bodies to ex- 
pand ; that all the individual plants of the crow-foot tribe 
are more or less acrid and poisonous ; that the sun modi- 
fies the moon's influence on the tides. Or, to take another 
series of examples. By this method it has been ascertain- 

2* 



18 THE BACONIAN PHILOSOPHY. 

ed that a large skull indicates a large brain, and that a large 
brain causes a large skull ; that persons having a brain 
weighing but one and a half pounds are invariably idiotic ; 
that a predominant coronal region gives a general tendency 
or disposition towards virtue, and that education has the 
power of modifying the constitutional tendencies of our 
nature. 

The fundamental error of ancient philosophy was the no- 
tion that a general cause must be first divined or conjectured, 
and then applied to the explanation of particular pheno- 
mena ; they perceived not the plain but momentous truth, 
that a general fact is nothing else than a fact common to 
many individuals, and consequently, that the individual 
facts must be known, before the general fact can be stated. 
Hence, instead of first ascertaining by direct observation, 
the relative velocity of two descending bodies differing in j 
weight, then of two others — persisting with new experiments I 
until enough of instances had been observed to justify an i 
assumption of uniformity, Aristotle first assumed a gross I 
error as a general fact, and then inferred it of any two j 
bodies whatever. His reasoning was correct, but his pre- 
miss was false. He attended to logic but utterly neglected I 
induction. 

But, besides pointing out the true method of investiga- J 
tion, the Baconian philosophy furnishes a number of tests i 
by which we may know when two facts bear to each other 
the relation of cause and effect, or of sign and power, j 
These are, 

1. " Invariable connection." 

2. " Invariable negation of the effect, with absence of 
the cause." 

3. " Increase or diminution of the effect, with the increa- 
sed or diminished intensity of the cause." 

It further teaches us that, " we are not to deny the exis- 
tence of a cause in favour of which we have a unanimous 



THE BACONIAN PHILOSOPHY. 19 

agreement of strong analogies, though it may not be appa- 
rent how such a cause can produce the effect."* 

For example, suppose a dark line be observed invariably 
to exist on the forehead of man, and on the heads of all 
such animals as sing, or recognize the melodious succes- 
sion of notes, and to be invariably absent from the heads of 
such animals as do not sing, or manifest such recognition. 
Again, suppose the musical faculty to be possessed by dif- 
ferent individuals, of the same species, in different degrees. 
A long line being invariably accompanied by great musical 
power, and a short line by feeble musical power, the poiver 
varying in strength in proportion as the line varied in length. 
Here we should have that " invariable connection," that 
" invariable negation of the effect* with absence of the 
cause," and that, u increase or diminution of the effect, with 
the increased or diminished intensity of the cause," which 
would unavoidably lead us to recognize one of the pheno- 
mena as the cause or sign, and the other as the effect or 
power, notwithstanding that we might not be able to con- 
ceive how a dark line, and the musical talent, should be so 
related. Now what is here supposed of the black line, is de- 
monstrably true of a certain portion of the brain, with this 
advantage, that the brain is admitted by all to be an ade- 
quate material, or proximate cause of mental manifestation. 
The organ of tune is developed in all animals which have 
the musical faculty, and undeveloped in all such as have it 
not. In such as have it, the organ and faculty are always 
directly related in size and power. 

To pretend, with some, to trace all the magnificent discove- 
ries of modern times to the Novum Organon, as to the foun- 
tain whence they sprung, would be erroneous. Ere Bacon 
appeared, the art of printing had been diffused ; men had 
commenced to ask the why of all existing institutions, the re- 

* Discourse on the study of Natural Philosophy, by Sir John Her- 
schell, Nos. 145 and 148. 



20 THE BACONIAN PHILOSOPHY. 

formation had shaken the ancient empire of superstition to its 
foundation. John of Salsbury, Roger Bacon, Gilbert, and 
Copernicus preceded him ; Galileo and Kepler were his con- 
temporaries. The Novum Organon must, therefore, be con- 
sidered as a manifestation, rather than a cause, of the philo- 
sophic spirit which, about that time, simultaneously burst 
forth. We must remember, too, that Gilbert, Galileo, and 
others had recognized the inductive, as the true method of 
investigation, before the appearance of Bacon's great work, 
as Gall did afterwards, before knowing of its existence. 

But, though the principle of induction had been recog- 
nized, to Bacon belongs the great honour of placing it, by 
his noble ardour and giant power, in deserved pre-eminence, 
as the true, the only method in which nature can be so ques- 
tioned, as to induce her to reveal her hidden agencies and 
laws of action. He destroyed for ever, the philosophic pre- 
tensions of those who essayed to explain natural pheno- 
mena by reasoning on conjecture. And, by showing the 
nobleness of their employment, who were laboriously en 
gaged in minutely investigating and comparing particular 
phenomena, he forced the curl from the pedant's lip, and 
the scowl from the bigot's brow. It may be truly said that 
the dawn of the new philosophy had before appeared, but 
that " day waited" for Verulam. 

As the glory and utility of logic depend on its not being 
merely a mode of reasoning, but the mode in which all cor- 
rect reasoning must be performed,* so do the glory and 

* See Elements of Logic by Archbishop Whately, book iv. chap. I. 
To those who, with Menage, define logic to be " The art of talking unit> 
telligibly on things of which we are ignorant," I would recommend a 
perusal of the above admirable work. Logic has been abused by its pre- 
tended friends, and has therefore been denounced. Thus it is ever: the 
world, in its hurry to condemn, stops not to discriminate between the 
true uses of a thing, and the purposes to which it is applied ; but visits 
upon the poor abused fact, or principle, the punishment due only to its 
abusers. Thus has it been with Phrenology. Many, for lucre's sake 



THE BACONIAN PHILOSOPHY. 21 

utility of the Baconian method depend on its not being 
merely a mode, but the mode in which all discoveries must 
be made and established. By induction we ascertain the 
truth or falsehood of premises ; by logic, whether, from the 
premises, the announced conclusion is fairly deduceable. 
By the former we become acquainted with the previ- 
ously unknown, by the latter we draw particular conclu- 
sions from general propositions, the truth of which is ac- 
knowledged. 

By means of the inductive philosophy, man, in these lat- 
ter days, has been able to draw aside the veil of the inner 
temple, and become on " intimate terms with nature." To it, 
chiefly, does this owe its superiority over the dark ages, for it 
cannot be supposed that all at once the human intellect 
gathered vigour, and emerged from childhood to manhood. 
No ; ithad in its waywardness become " in wandering mazes 
lost," and though vast powers were often times displayed, 
yet as they were displayed in weaving webs of subtlety and 
conjecture, nothing was achieved. Like the arts of the 
posture master,suchdisplays of intellectual power were won- 
derful, but of small profit, and, by enlightened reason, 
could be accounted only as " fantastic tricks." The induc- 
tive philosophy brought men into the true path, and in 
that path, advancement was not, as before, a departure from 
truth, but progress in it. No wonder, then, that we have 
surpassed our fathers, for, as Bacon well observes, even " a 
cripple in the right way may beat a racer in the wrong." 

To this philosophy, then, do we owe the establishment of 
Phrenology, a science pregnant with more important influ- 

have dragged our noble science through the mire, by pretending to teach 
what they have never learned, and to determine the value of develop 
ments, of the significance of which they were ignorant. Phrenologists 
have ever been the first to warn the community against these self-styled 
friends, but worst of foes, and yet, in public and in private, have the cru- 
dities and mal-practices of these men been identified with the cause of 
Phrenology. 



22 i)R. gall's character. 

ences than the revelations of Galileo, of Harvey, or of 
Newton ; making known as it does, the material instruments 
of mentality, unfolding as it does, the moral and intellectual 
constitution of man, and exposing as it does, the secret 
springs of thought and impulses of action ; furnishing man 
with a middle term, which will enable him, as it were, to 
throw his own and external nature into one mighty syllo- 
gism, and educe human duty and human destiny. 

The day is not far distant when it will be acknowledged 
by all, that no doctrines were ever established on a more 
extensive induction of rigidly scrutinized and verified facts, 
than were those of Gall. The length of time which he 
allowed to elapse between their dawn and promulgation ; 
his entire devotion of life and property to their investiga- 
tion ; the bold but truth-loving spirit ; the profound, com- 
prehensive, discriminative, and practical understanding, 
every where manifested in his writings, place him at the 
antipodes of those speculative geniuses, who spend their 
lives in weaving webs of sophistry for the entanglement of 
human reason. To make this evident, to show in a man- 
ner satisfactory to all candid minds, that phrenology is a 
discovery, not an invention, that its doctrines are but the 
crowning stones to pyramids of facts, is the object of the 
present essay. 

From his earliest youth, Francois Joseph Gall, remarked 
that his brothers and sisters, his play-fellows and school- 
mates, manifested great diversity of disposition and talent, 
notwithstanding similarity of education and external cir- 
cumstances. Some were remarkable for their attachment 
to, some for their disregard of truth ; some were peaceable, 
others quarrelsome ; some modest, others arrogant ; some 
shone in composition, others had a harsh dry style ; some 
excelled in calculation, others c,ould not learn or compre- 
hend the multiplication table. He remarked, too, that 
there was great uniformity in the character of each indi* 



gall's first organic discovery. 23 

vidual. No one remarkable for goodness one year, be- 
came remarkable for wickedness the next ; no one remark- 
ably arrogant and rude, did be ever know to become very 
humble and complaisant. He was thus impressed with the 
notion, that the dispositions, or original tendencies of the 
mind, are innate. 

At the age of nine years* he first noticed a connection 
between prominent eyes and verbal memory. With the 
cause of that prominence he was then unacquainted, but 
afterwards ascertained it to be the predominant size of a 
certain cerebral convolution, which, by pressing on the pos- 
terior part of the superior orbital plate, pushed the eye out- 
wards. This was the first observation which led the youthful 
philosopher to seek for external signs of the mental faculties. 
And let not a smile of incredulity play upon the lips be- 
cause of Gall's early age. Mozart began to compose at the 
age of four years. Handel, almost as soon as he could 
speak. Colburn, at six, astonished the world by the ra- 
pidity with which he performed intricate arithmetical cal- 
culations. At twelve, Pope wrote his " Ode on Solitude." 
At thirteen, Wren had formed an ingenious machine to 
represent the course of the stars. At sixteen, Pascal pub- 
lished a work on conic sections. At the same age, Michael 
Angelo had executed works which were compared to those 
of antiquity. Newton, at twenty-five, had completed some 
of his most brilliant discoveries, and originated all he ever 
made. So true is the observation of Gall, that " from in- 
fancy man announces the character which will distinguish 
him in adult age." Nor let the seemingly trifling observa- 
, tion which he first made excite derision. It is the 
i glory of genius to detect, in the every day phenomena of 
2 life, the clews to mighty principles. Thus, Pythagoras, 
. from listening to a blacksmith's hammer, made a most bril- 
it liant discovery in acoustics. Galileo deduced the use of the 
i< 

* Chenevix. 



24 FUNDAMENTAL TRUTHS OF PHRENOLOGY. 

pendulum, as a pulse and time measurer, from observing 
the oscillations of a lamp, swinging from the cathedral roof 
at Pisa. From noticing the phenomena presented by soap 
bubbles, Newton caught the first hint to some of his great- 
est optical discoveries, and from noticing the fall of an ap- 
ple, he was led to unravel the subtle bond of the universe. 

It would be pleasant and instructive to follow Gall 
throughout his career of doubt, and difficulty, and dis- 
covery, and persecution, and noble self-reliance, and ulti- 
mate triumph ; but space will not suffice, and I must hasten 
to show, more in detail, the spirit and mode in which phre- 
nological investigations have been prosecuted, and the kind 
of evidence on which phrenological doctrines rest. 

As preliminary to this, let us state some fundamental 
truths of phrenology, referring to the lectures for the proofs 
on which they rest. 

1. The mental powers of man are innate, and their 
talents and dispositions are discoverable by observation. 

2. By means of the brain, all the mental powers arc 
manifested. 

3. The mental manifestations result from various dis- 
tinct mental powers ; and ought, therefore, to have their 
seat in distinct parts of the brain. 

4. Men differ much in their power of manifesting the 
various mental qualities ; and brains differ much in size and 
form. 

5. The outer surface of the head so nearly corresponds 
to the outer surface of the brain, that the size and form of 
the latter, are indicated by the size and form of the former. 

6. By a comparison of mental manifestations in indi- 
viduals of all varieties of age, station, talents, and disposi- 
tion, with their cerebral developement, the seats of various 
mental oigans have been clearly ascertained. 

7. Size, other things being equal, is the measure of 
power ; consequently, phrenologists are able to tell from 



LOVE OF YOUNG. 25 

the size of an organ, its power of manifestation ; and from 
the energy of its manifestation, its relative size. 

I said that I would show more in detail, the spirit and 
mode, in which phrenological investigations have been 
prosecuted, and the kind of evidence, on which phrenologi- 
cal doctrines rest. To do this, I shall adduce the proofs 
of an organ, which may be readily observed. Perhaps 
none has been established by such an overwhelming ac- 
cumulation of facts, as that of Amativeness ; but, for obvious 
reasons, the facts are inadmissible in this essay. I, there- 
fore, refer the professional reader to Gall's article contain- 
ed in the third volume of his work, " Sur les Fonctions 
du cerveau, <fcc," — but, more especially, to the late work of 
Mr. Combe, on the same subject ;* and proceed to show 
the sort of evidence, on which we rest our belief concerning 
the seat of that organ, by which the love of young is mani- 
fested. I deem it better to exhibit at length, and in order, 
the chief proofs of one organ, than to mention promiscu- 
ously some of the proofs of several ; — for one organ being 
proved, the fundamental principles of phrenology are es- 
tablished; and these being established, the details will readily 
make their way to the convictions of men. In doing this, 
I shall make a free use of phrenological writings. 

* On the Functions of the cerebellum, by Drs. Gall, Vimont, and Brous- 
sais, translated from the French, by George Combe, with additional cases 
by the translator. Published 1*838, by Maclachlan and Stewart, Edin- 
burgh ; Longman and Co., and Simp kin Marshall and Co., London; 
and Marsh, Capen and Lyon, Boston. 



26 



LOVE OP YOUNG. 



LOVE OF YOUNG. 

(The organ of this faculty was established by upwards of three 



observations.) 



Fig: l: 



Fig. 2. 





Love of Young, small. 



Love of Young, large. 



Location of the organ of the Love of Young. 

Let the reader feel along the middle line, at the back 
part of the head, towards the base of the skull, and he will 
recognize a small bony projection; below this point lies the 
organ of amativeness ; immediately above it, and on each 
side of the middle line of the head, lies the organ of the 
love of young, forming, generally, a single protuberance 
occupying both sides of the line. When predominant, as 
in the second of these figures, it gives to the posterior part 
of the head a drooping, overhanging, appearance. To the 
anatomist, I may remark, that this organ lies on each side 
the falx cerebri, and rests on the tentorium. 



Discovery of the organ of the Love of Young. 

Dr. Gall observed, that in females the upper part of the 
occipital bone receded more than in males, and naturally 
inferred, that the brain beneath this part was the probable 



LOVE OF YOUNG. 27 

scat of some quality which is stronger in woman than in man. 
The question then arose, of to hat quality is it the seat? 
For five years he kept the subject continually in mind, 
adopting various opinions, all of which, he saw reason to 
discard. 

At length he noticed, that the crania of monkeys, in this 
particular part, bear a striking resemblance to those of wo- 
men, and he inferred that the cerebral part lying under this 
prominence, was the probable organ of a quality, which too- 
men arnd these animals equally possess in a high degree. 

He held the more tenaciously to this idea, because, from 
the organs he had before discovered, he felt sure that this 
region was not the seat of any superior intellectual or 
moral faculty. He often pondered on the qualities which 
he knew the monkey tribe to possess, and, at length, in a 
happy moment, during the delivery of a lecture, as he re- 
collected the extreme love of young, which is so char- 
acteristic of these animals, the thought flashed upon his 
mind, that this might be the long sought quality. He 
hastily begged his class to retire, hurried to his cabinet, 
commenced to examine and compare all the skulls he pos- 
sessed, and found the same difference to exist between male 
and female skulls in general. The idea which had struck him 
appeared the more plausible, from the close proximity of 
this organ to that of the instinct of propagation. All sub- 
sequent observations confirmed its correctness. 

The Love of Young exists throughout the animal kingdom 
to a greater or less extent. 

We can hardly turn our attention to any part of the 
animal kingdom, without being greeted with the manifest- 
ations of this delightful feeling. Insects, fishes, and the 
amphibious animals, seek to deposit their eggs in a place 
of safety, whence the young may obtain ready egress, and 
be able to find food. The savage crocodile cautiously steals 



28 LOVE OF YOUNG. 

forth, and deposits her eggs in the sloping sand bank, where 
the sun's rays can have full power, carefully trying to cover 
them in such way as to prevent their discovery. Certain 
spiders carry their eggs in a little sack on their back, which 
they never part with except on the most pressing emergency. 
The cricket forms winding passages to its nursery, and 
keeps sentry around it. If an ant hill be destroyed, with 
what earnestness the little inhabitants collect the eggs and 
larvae, and deposit them in a place of safety ! The wasps 
and bees may at other times be approached without excit- 
ing their anger, but in the season of their young they be- 
come dangerous. With what activity they nourish the in- 
fant bees, with what fondness they lick and caress them, 
with what courage they defend them ! Then with what 
perseverance do the birds cover and hatch their eggs, with 
what assiduity do they feed and protect their young, what 
alarm they manifest when their brood is threatened. They 
cling to their little ones despite hunger and cold, and are 
sometimes found dead, having in vain attempted to screen 
them from inclement weather. The cuckoo is often quoted 
as destitute of this feeling ; but, inasmuch as she carefully 
deposits her eggs in the nest of some bird which will hatch 
them, and supply the infant brood with worms, she evi- 
dently possesses it, though in an inferior degree. 

In the mammalia, the love of young, is the most active 
and imperious of the instincts. When the fox, cat, or squir- 
rel has the least suspicion that its habitation is discovered, 
it immediately removes its offspring to another asylum 
However cautious the fox may ordinarily be, it becomes I 
rash and dauntless when it has whelps to succour. When 
their young are in danger, beasts of prey become truly ter- 
rific ; and even the hind and female roebuck forget that 
they are unarmed, and rashly precipitate themselves on the | 
enemy, when their fawns are in peril. Monkeys are so 
fond of the young, that they bestow their caresses on chil- 
dren even, who may be so unfortunate as to fall in their 



LOVE OP YOUNG. 29 

way. The strength of this feeling in the human species, 
need not be told. It cannot be denied, then, that love of 
young is an innate propensity. 

The strength of the Love of Young is greater, and the 
organ larger, in females than in males 

In many species of animals, the male takes very little 
interest in the young ; this is the case with the bull, horse, 
stag, wild boar, and dog, all the females of which, are 
extremely attached to their young ; there have been dogs 
and horses however, which have sought the young with 
solicitude, protected them with tenderness, and defended 
them with courage. 

Among those animals which live in the marriage state, 
or remain faithfully attached during life, as the fox, wolf, 
martin, and polecat ; and among most birds, both sexes take 
great care of the young, still parental love is most conspicu- 
ous in the female ; in imminent danger the father more often 
escapes than the mother, though, in ordinary circum- 
stances, this is reversed. 

Mankind love their young, and take charge of them with 
common accord, but yet, the love of offspring is much 
more intense in the female, than in the male, and this dif- 
ference is manifested from the earliest infancy. The boy 
wants his whip, horse, drum, or sword ; but, observe the 
little girl, occupied with her doll, she decks it in fine 
clothes, prepares for it night linen, puts it into the cradle, 
rocks it, takes it up, caresses it, feeds it, teaches it, scolds 
it, threatens it, and tells it stories. When she grows older 
she takes charge of her younger brothers and sisters, no- 
thing possesses in her estimation, greater charms than 
babies. — And, when grown to maturity, and become her- 
self a mother, with what sweet emotion and gushing tender- 
ness does she caress her little ones. Well might Gall say, 

3* 



30 LOVE OP YOUNG. 

" If I had a city, there should arise in its midst, as an em- 
blem of domestic happiness, a mother nursing herinfant." 

A most interesting practical example, of the difference in 
this feeling betwixt males and females, is quoted by Mr. 
Combe, from Morier's Travels in Persia. " The surgeons 
of the Embassy," says he, " endeavoured to introduce vac- 
cination among the Persians, and their efforts at first, were 
very successful ; but, on a sudden, its progress was checked 
by the government itself. Several of the King's Ferashes, 
were placed at the gate of the Ambassador's hotel, nominal- 
ly as a mark of attention to his excellency, but really to 
stop all women from going to our surgeons. They said, 
that if the people wanted their children to be vaccinated, 
the fathers and not the mothers were to take them to the 
surgeons, by which means the eagerness for vaccination 
was stopped ; for, we soon discovered, that the males did 
not feel one half the same anxiety for their offspring, as the 
women. 1 ' — Second Journey through Persia^ p. 191. 

We find, in short, in all species of animals, that love of 
young predominates in the female, and, in exact accordance 
with this, Gall found that in the skulls of birds, from the 
smallest to the largest, and in the skulls of the mammife- 
rous animals, from the shrewmouse to the elephant, the 
part before described is more developed in the female than m 
the male. The plates of Gall and Vimont, well illustrate this 
fact and any one may be convinced of it by observation. 
The organ of amativeness, situated in the cerebellum, is 
greater in the male than in the female ; that of the Love of 
young, is greater in the female than in the male, and by the 
difference in these organs alone , Gall could tell, when a 
brain was presented to him in water, whether it were that 
of a male or female. The difference in form, in man, is 
manifest, in the foetal cranium. The skulls of women are, 
by this difference of developement, readily known from 
those of men. 



LOVE OF YOUNG. 31 

The Love of Young varies in intensity in animals of the 
same species, and the same sex, and the organ differs ac- 
cordingly. 

Many domestic animals kill and devour their young, 
though, generally, they are greatly attached to them. 
Many cows will not suffer themselves to be suckled by 
their calves; others, if separated from them, low piteously 
and refuse to eat for several days. The king of quails sits 
so assiduously, that it is often beheaded by the reaper's 
sickle. When the building in which there is a stork's nest 
takes fire, the parents often precipitate themselves into the 
flames, rather than abandon their young. Some mares 
have such a passion for colts, that they lead away those of 
other mares, and tend them with jealous tenderness. There 
is not a single farmer's wife, who does not know that in 
dividual differences exist in this particular, and who can- 
not point out, in the farmyard, those hens, turkeys, ducks, 
and geese, that cover their eggs, and tend their young as- 
siduously, from those which destroy their nests or neglect 
and abandon their young. 

The same difference exists in the human species. Some 
men are passionately fond of children ; this was the case 

with Burns, in whom this 
organ was greatly devel- 
oped, (see outline.) Agesi 
laus, the warlike king oi 
Sparta, used to ride on a 
stick to amuse his chil- 
dren. And Henry the IV, 
of France, was caught on 
all fours galloping round 
the room, with one child on his back, and another flog- 
ging him with a whip. On the other hand, some women 
show marked dislike to children, they look upon them as 
visitations. We see some mothers give up their children 




32 



LOVE OP YOUNG. 



with indifference to mercenary hands, while some adopt 
the children of others, and bestow upon them the most 
tender cares. 

" I knew a lady at Vienna," says Gall, " who loved her 
husband tenderly, who managed the affairs of her house- 
hold with intelligent activity, but, who sent from home im- 
mediately after birth, all the nine children of which she was 
successively delivered, and for years she never desired to 
see them. She was herself astonished at this indifference, 
and could not account for it. In order to acquit her con- 
science, she required that her husband should daily see her 
children, and attend to their education." — Vol. 3, p. 282. 

*' Dr. Gall," says Mr. Combe, " knew instances of ladies 
4vho never felt any interest whatever in their children. I 
found it difficult to realize this fact, till I met with a case 
precisely similar. A lady of Edinburgh sent all her chil- 
dren from home to be reared and educated, and never wish 
ed to see them till they were grown, when she treated them 
not as though she regarded them as her children, but as 
friends and companions. I was 
not sufficiently acquainted with 
this lady to examine her head, 
but a lady of my acquaintance, 
who was an excellent phrenolo- 
gist, did so, and found the organ 
to be remarkably small. The < 
head, like this of a Peruvian, 
appeared to be truncated in the 
posterior region." 

We daily see domestics very fond of children, and others 
who cannot abide them. We see some who abhor even 
their good humoured prattle, others who show towards them 
the utmost forbearance, and sooth their fretfulness with 
admirable patience and gentleness. 

Now, in all these cases, the strong manifestation of the 
feeling is accompanied by a large development of the organ, 




LOVE OP YOUNG. 33 

and a feeble manifestation of the faculty, by a small develop- 
mnit of the organ, the manifestation and development beino 
proportional. 

Proofs drawn from the cerebral conformation of infanticides , 
that the portion of brain before indicated, is the organ of 
the Love of Young. 

Drs. Gall and Spurzheim examined the heads of twenty- 
nine women guilty of child murder, and in twenty-five this 
organ was very feebly developed. — GalVs Works, Boston 
edition, .Vol. 1. p. 293. 

One of the twenty-five cases, I here present as an exam- 
ple. The account will be found in the description of Gall's 
visits to the prisons of Berlin, and Spandau, published in 
Nos. 97 and 98 of the Freymiithige, May, 1805, and trans- 
cribed into Gall's Works, Vol. VI. p. 301. 

Dr. Gall drew attention to the large organ of destructive- 
ness, and the absolutely flattened region of the love of off- 
spring, in a woman named R&gine Dsering. This woman 
had had several children, of which she had always secretly 
got rid. She was sentenced to imprisonment for life, yet she 
showed no repentance, nor remorse, but entered the room, 
to be examined by Gall, with a serene and assured air. 

The feebleness of child-love could never be the cause of 
infanticide ; but, when the organ is energetic, it has a most 
powerful restraining tendency. In four cases out of the 
twenty-nine above mentioned, the organ was full or large. 
I will relate one of these also, as it subjected phrenology to 
what may be fairly called an ezperimentum crucis. The 
account appeared in the Journal du Beau Monde, Aug. 1, 
1805: Leipsic. 

Among a number of criminals detained in the prison of 
Torgau, who were brought to Dr. Gall, a woman was pre- 
sented, who, deaf to the cries of her infant, aged four years, 



34 LOVE OP YOUNG. 

had drowned him in a river. Dr. Gall examined her; then 
he took the hand of M. Soder, counsellor at Halle, who 
happened to be there, and passed it over the back and sides 
of the woman's head, in order to prepare him for some far- 
ther observations. The prisoner having retired, Dr. Gall 
explained to a crowd of persons, who accompanied him, 
that he had discovered a circumstance very unusual in 
these cases ; namely, that the prisoner had the organ of 
maternal love very greatly developed ; that the organ ofde- 
struction was very little so ; that otherwise, she was very 
well organized^ and must have great faculty for learning by 
heart. The magistrates present, then related to Dr. Gall 
the following facts. 

" This person, born of poor parents, whom she lost at an 
early period, had received hardly any education, when 
grown up she went to service in the country, and received 
the best certificates from her masters. Unhappily she was 
seduced, became pregnant, and the being to which she thus 
gave life, was the cause of her misery. She was dismissed 
from her employers, and no one would receive her, she 
knew not how to maintain herself and her unfortunate in- 
fant, which she continued to cherish with the utmost tender- 
ness. At length, a poor villager and his wife, took pity on 
her lot, received the child into their house, and kept charge 
of it for three years. The mother again found employment 
and behaved very well. 

" The child grew up, and gave great satisfaction to his 
protector, who loved him with the tenderness of a son, and 
was repaid with equal warmth. This was enough to set 
idle tongues busy. A rumour spread that the villager was 
the father of the child. The good man, conscious of in- 
nocence, despised these calumnies ; but, his wife was dif- 
ferently affected by them. Hence, resulted altercations so 
frequent and so disagreeable, that the villager, to obtain 
peace, seat back the child to its unhappy mother. In vain 



LOVE OF YOUNG. ,j,> 

did she supplicate her employers ; in vain represent that 
she had served them with exemplary assiduity and fidelity; 
she saw herself, on account of this child, again houseless 
in the severest season of the year. All the other rich peo- 
ple treated her with the same harshness, she met with no 
other poor and hospitable villager. She wandered from 
place to place, selling her garments to satisfy her hunger 
and that of her child, finding no where either refuge or 
succour. The child was wasting away ; overcome and 
enfeebled by hunger and pain, she implored death for this 
miserable being and herself, as the only relief to their suf- 
ferings. In this struggle, between maternal love for her 
child, who was almost dying with hunger and cold, and 
the conviction that its destruction was the only means of 
saving herself; hopeless of compassion from mankind, in 
a moment of delirium, she seized the wretched child, 
and dropped him into the river, where death soon relieved 
his sorrows. Exhausted by weakness, the mother fainted, 
and was found in this state ; on recovery, she immediately 
accused herself of the crime, and was arrested. She was 
condemned to be beheaded, but, on account of the attend- 
ing circumstances, her punishment was commuted for im- 
prisonment during life. In prison she behaved with great 
attention, gentleness, and docility. She learned to read 
witli extraordinary facility, and she seizes with readiness 
whatever is taught her." 

In this case, the crime led Gall to expect small love of off- 
spring and large destructiveness ; he found the reverse, but 
confiding in the truth of his doctrines, he fearlessly an- 
nounced the seeming contradiction. How well the recital 
of the magistrates justified his confidence ! 



36 LOVE OP YOUNG. 

Proofs drawn from a state of disease, in favour of the pro- 
position that the portion of the brain before described, is 
the organ on which the manifestation of the Love op 
Young depends. 

CASE I. 

In the great hospital of Vienna, there was a woman who 
had a singular delirium. She believed herself to be preg- 
nant with six children. Gall was told of this, and attributed 
it partly to extraordinary development of the organ of love 
of offspring, and partly to its over excitement. The woman 
died. The skull was sent to Gall, who found this part so 
very voluminous, that M. Rudolphi, the celebrated physi- 
ologist, attempted to account for the protuberance, by 
some supposed pressure. — GalVs Works, Vol. III. p. 285. 

CASE II. 

At Paris, Gall professionally attended, for a mental dis- 
ease, a very amiable and modest young lady, who, after- 
wards accompanied some friends to Vienna. She had 
hardly arrived there, before she visited all her acquaintance, 
and informed them with the most lively joy, that she was 
pregnant. This declaration, taken in connection with her 
known character, convinced her friends that she was insane. 
Her immoderate joy soon gave place to violent anguish, 
and an invincible and melancholy taciturnity. Shortly 
after this she died a victim to consumption. Here, again, 
the organ of the love of offspring was extremely developed, 
and, during life, this lady had singularly loved children. — 
GalVs Works, Vol. III. p. 286. 

CASE III. 

Gall saw in the insane hospital of Amsterdam, a lady 
who incessantly talked like the last mentioned one. Her 
head was small. The organ of the love of offspring being 
alone very much developed. — GalVs Works, Vol. III. 
p. 287. 



LOVE OP YOUNG. 37 

CASE IV. 

A man in an insane hospital maintained that he was 
about to be delivered of twins. Gall declared that he must 
have the organ in question very much developed. An exam- 
ination proved it to be so. — GalVs Works, Vol. III. p. 286. 

case v. 
" I have seen," says Spurzheim, " several insane women, 
who fancied themselves with child, and they had the re- 
spective organ elevated" — On Insanity : Boston, p. 108. 

CASE VI. 

11 1 saw, April 1836, a woman in a Lunatic Asylum," 
says Mr. Combe, " who thought her children stolen. She 
fell on her knees to the superintendent, screaming with 
agony, and imploring that they might be restored, with a 
depth of wo, which I could never have conceived it possi- 
ble to express. In her head the organ was very large." 

CASE VII. 

11 1 attended some time ago," says Dr. Combe, " the 
mother of a family, in a state of delirium, characterized by 
intense anxiety and alarm about the supposed murder of 
her children, and who, on being asked, after her recovery, 
what were her sensations during the paroxysm, applied 
her hand to the region of the organ of philoprogenitiveness, 
and said, that she was conscious of nothing except severe 
pain in that part of the head. She was unacquainted with 
phrenology, and never had heard the subject mentioned by 
me, so that her statement was perfectly unbiassed." — On 
Mental Derangement : Boston ed. p. 156. 

Many other cases are on record, in which love of off- 
spring has been deranged, but, as the development of the 
organ is not mentioned, they only so far bear upon the 
present subject, as to show that this feeling may be singly or 
chiefly affected. Pinel mentions a mother who had been 
distinguished for great attachment to her family, and whom 



38 LOVE OF YOUNG. 

domestic troubles had thrown into profound melancholy. 
She regarded the food that was offered to her, as the por- 
tion of her children, and rejected it with indignation. — On 
Mental Alienation, second ed. p. 296. 

A native of the South Sea Islands, having had a child 
taken from her to make a sacrifice to a barbarous idol, went 
mad, and in consequence, becoming very troublesome, her 
countrymen killed her. — Burrow'' s Commentaries, p. 22. 

Proof that the portion of brain before described, is the organ 
of the Love of Young, drawn from its growth under excite- 
ment 

It is known, and admitted, by all physiologists, that even 
after persons have arrived at adult age, the different parts 
of the body often become enlarged by well regulated exer- 
cise ; the same occasionally happens in different parts of 
the brain — thus, Napoleon's head much enlarged in cer- 
tain directions after he first entered the army. Broussais, 
the great French physiologist states, that, within two or 
three years that he was engaged in deep reflection, and ar- 
gumentative study, his organ of causality so much increased 
that the difference was perceptible by measurement. Mr. 
Kirtleyrecords a case in which the attention of a mother 
was concentrated on her children for a length of time, on 
account of their sickness, till she began to feel an interest 
in them never before experienced. This excitement of the 
love of offspring, was, necessarily, accompanied by increas- 
ed vascular action, in the corresponding organ, and this 
resulted in the permanently increased development of the 
part before designated. — See Edinburgh Phrenological 
Journal, Vol. X. No. 51. 

Here we might rest the case, but, as objections have been 
made, let us briefly notice them. 

Objection. A mother's love for her offspring is the result 
of reason. 



LOVE OF YOUNG. 



39 



AHswer. " Reason only investigates causes and effects, 
and decides on a comparison of facts. The mother, while 
she smiles with ineffable joy on her tender offspring, does 
not argue herself into the delightful emotion. The excite- 
ment is instantaneous; the object requires only to be pre- 
sented to her eye or imagination, and the whole impetus 
of parental love stirs the mind. Hence a feeling or pro- 
pensity is obviously the basis of the affection." — (Combe.) 
Besides, it " often acts in opposition to reason in spoiling 
children." — (Spurzheim.) And w r e find it in full energy 
among the most intellectual of mankind, and the most 
ferocious brutes. 

Objection. Love of offspring arises from kindness and 
benevolence of disposition. 

Ansiver. Were this the case, no selfish person should be 
fond of children; but, persons noted for ferocity and blood- 
thirstiness, are often 
strongly attached to their 
offspring. The Charibs, 
the most unfavourably or- 
ganized of human beings, 
and whom all travellers 
represent as totally un- 
regulated either by intel- 
lect or benevolence, have this feeling decidedly strong, and 
the organ is as decidedly developed. This the accompa- 
nying figure will show. 

Captain Parry says that love of offspring is almost the 
only amiable feeling that 
the Esquimaux Indians 
possess, but that they pos- 
sess it in a remarkable de- 
gree. He met and reliev- 
ed a party of them, who 
were without food and 
almost dying with hun- 





40 LOVE OP YOUNG. 

ger; the first thing they did was to feed their children, ne- 
glecting themselves till they were fully satisfied. In them 
the organ is greatly developed (see outline). Again, this 
feeling is not less strong in the eagle, or tiger, than in the 
most gentle and docile of animals. 

Objection. The love of offspring is proportionate to the 
feeling of amativeness. 

Answer. Amativeness is strongest in males, whereas the 
love of offspring is the strongest in females. 

Objection. The love of offspring is the mere result of in- 
stinct. 

Answer. It may be admitted that love of offspring is an 
instinct, but then it does not the less require to be manifest- 
ed through a distinct cerebral organ. 

Objection. " A mother does not love her infant, because 
she has a protuberance, but because it makes, or has made, 
a part of her happiness." — Journal of the Empire, and 
Dictionary of Medical Sciences^ Vol. XXI. p. 210. 

Answer. Children make a part of her happiness, because 
her organization fits her to receive pleasure from them. 
The proper activity of an organ being always pleasurable- 

Objection. " A mother loves her child from the pains it 
has cost her, and the dangers she has been exposed to on 
its account." — Journal of the Empire. 

Answer. Like causes produce like effects. And for the 
same reason, she should love a dog because it had bitten 
her, a bee because it had stung her, or a horse because, by 
its vicious turbulence, it had endangered her life. 

Objection. But, we find mothers who love one of their 
children, much more than the others ; how can this be ex- 
plained on the supposition of love of offspring depending 
on a blind impulsion 1 

Answer. Phrenologists always take the whole organiza- 
tion into consideration. A mother will naturally love that 
child most, which is most pleasing to her other faculties. 
Independent, of this, however, Mr. Scott, Mr. Combe, and 



LOVE OP YOUNG. 41 

other phrenologists have remarked, that the direction of the 
feeling hears a reference to the weakness or helplessness of 
its objects, that " the mother doats with the fondest delight 
on the infant in the first months of its existence, and her 
solicitude and affection are bestowed longest, and most in- 
tensely, on the feeblest member of her family." 

Objection. Love of offspring is manifestly a modification 
of self-love. 

Answer. Then should parental affection be weak, in pro- 
portion as generosity is strong ; and strong, in proportion 
as generosity is weak ; which is evidently not the case. 

Vie have now shown that the organ of the love of young 
is always present, and that the corresponding feeling is al- 
ways present ; that the organ is largest in females, and 
that the feeling is strongest in females ; that the size of the 
organ varies in animals of the same species and sex, and 
that the strength of the feeling varies correspondingly ; that 
when the manifestation of the feeling is disordered, pain is 
felt in the organ ; that where hallucination of the feeling 
exists, the organ is generally very large ; that in child 
murderers, it is generally very small ; that when the feeling 
has been called into long continued manifestation, the organ 
has increased in size ; that such is the intimate correspon- 
dence between manifestation and development, that where 
one is known, the other may be inferred. Here we close 
our case, deeming the evidence adduced more than suffi- 
cient to establish our position. 

We now say to the antiphrenologist, there is, there can 
be no way to avoid our conclusions, except by showing that 
we have borne false witness, and to attempt this, you will 
have to question nature, who, if questioned, will, we know 
full well, confirm the truth of our testimony. 

Until you have s^ questioned nature, maintain not tha 
we are false, because you are ignorant ; that light exists 
not, because you refuse to see. The King of Siam, ac- 
cused the Dutch traveller of falsehood, for affirming, that, in 

4* 






42 ADVICE TO INVESTIGATORS. 

Holland, water sometimes becomes solid. You accuse us 
of falsehood, for maintaining that the mental faculties are 
manifested through distinct cerebral organs, the power of 
which may be proximately estimated from cerebral devel- 
opment. You blame the King of Siam for injustice — 
though the congelation of water was entirely at variance 
with his experience, and beyond the range of his observa- 
tion — yet denounce us, though our proofs are numerous as 
the heads of men ! 

To the sincere seeker after truth, we would earnestly re- 
commend observation. Do not, we pray you, sit down to 
argue against facts Avhen you may so readily observe. Such 
a course is as useless as it is absurd. The orgaa which has 
been described, is one of the most easily distinguishable. 
Compare then, with reference to this point, the heads of 
your male and female acquaintance, especially the heads 
of such as manifest the feeling strongly, and such as mani- 
fest it weakly. Compare the skulls of males and females 
in anatomical collections, and the skulls of animals of vari- 
ous species, and of both sexes. Do this candidly, nay, with 
prejudice if you please, so that you do it carefully, and our 
word for it, the sneer and shrug of pedantry, or self-conceit, 
the denunciations of bigotry, and the forebodings of weak- 
ness and superstition will never be able to uproot the con- 
viction from your mind, that phrenology is true : and being 
true, is it not of God, the fountain of all truth 1 Having 
satisfied yourself of one fact, proceed cautiously but perse- 
veringly, and human nature will gradually unfold itself to 
your mental vision, in all its beautiful simplicity ; your 
views of man will be enlarged, of providence corrected, and 
of the great moral teachings of Christianity demonstrably 
confirmed. 

It appears to me that the " In medio tutissimus ibis" or 
middle course principle, has been much more lauded than 
it deserves. A middle course ! where is there such a 
course 1 To a greater or less extent, whatever is not right 



THE MIDDLE COURSE PRINCIPLE. 43 

is wrong — whatever is not just is unjust — whatever is not 
honourable is dishonourable — whatever is not temperate is 
intemperate — whatever is not true is false. Now, the path 
of right, of justice, of honour, of temperance, of truth, is 
not a middle, but the narrow and only path of true philoso- 
phy and virtue. In medio tutissimus ibis is gently syllabled 
forth, and individual heroism becomes withered. And to 
take a firm stand for some broad and momentous, but un- 
popular principle, urge its importance, and attempt its pro- 
mulgation, is considered sufficient proof of hallucination. 
The absurdity of the "middle course" men, is finely illus- 
trated by their expressions concerning phrenology ; you 
hear them remarking every day, " The general principles 
are no doubt true, but the details are ridiculously absurd." 
Now, as a general truth is merely a truth common to many 
individuals, if the details be false, the general principle 
must be so too. It is as impossible that any accumulation 
of falsities should constitute atruth, as that the simultaneous 
infliction of various torments should harmonize into exqui- 
site delight. 

It may be truly said, that the light of every natural 
truth exists at all times in the atmosphere of mind ; but, as 
the natural light seems not to exist till the eye receives it, 
so the light of truth seems a nonentity, till it meets with 
some human mind, which has a correspondence with itself. 
It exists from creation's dawn, but not till then does 
it become known. From this mind it shines forth as 
from a sun ; and as natural light is affected by the body on 
which it falls, and the medium through which it passes, so as 
the light of truth radiates to other minds, it becomes bright- 
ened, dimmed, or darkened. Thus, the truths of phrenology 
had ever existed, but had never been clearly recognized till 
the coming of Gall. In him they found the fittest medium 
perhaps, that ever was ; he gave himself to their reception 
with singleness of heart, and to their transmission with un- 
paralleled ardour. His light radiated to Spurzheim and 



44 THE RECEPTION OF NEW TRUTHS. 

Combe, and became increased and purified ; to Cuvier,and 
it became dimmed ;toGordon, and it became a baleful and 
affrighting glare. Blessed is he who receives the light, and 
transmits it purified to his neighbour. But awful is the 
conduct of him, who turns the light of truth to the dark- 
ness of error, prejudice and superstition; who, being made 
a recipient of good, becomes a transmitter of evil. 

Is it true ? is the only rational question on any scientific 
proposition ; and the answer must be either in the affirma- 
tive or negative. Suppose a proposition to be false, to de- 
cide that it is so without investigation, is childish and pre- 
sumptuous. The really laudable thing is the search, and 
the impartial manner of conducting it. But how rare this 
attention and impartiality ! That the world is slow to 
practice goodness, all allow, it is almost equally back- 
ward to receive light. Every individual seems to concen- 
trate his thoughts, and limit his view, to a certain sphere. 
Some spheres are greater, indeed, than others, but it is 
true of almost every man, that if you try to draw his atten- 
tion to something beyond his particular sphere, he is roused 
to passion, by what he is pleased to deem impertinent in- 
terference. Men, like dogs, seem each to have a bone to 
which they are paying exclusive attention. Try to with- 
draw that attention, and you are rewarded by a snap and a 
snarl. And as in the case of the dog, so in that of man, 
the scraggiest bone is generally the most fiercely clung to, 
and the most vigorously defended. 

Let it not be supposed that we admire men in proportion 
to their facility of belief, we hold credulity in low estima- 
tion. Let it not be supposed that we admire those who pass 
from a first, or second lecture, stoutly declaring themselves 
to be phrenologists. It would be as modest to declare 
themselves astronomers, because they had learned that there 
is only an apparent, not a real, daily revolution of the sun 
round the earth ; or, to declare themselves geometricians, 
because they had learned that " two lines which are parallel 



DR. VIMONT. 45 

to a third, are parallel to each other." What we do admire, 
is a mind imbued with the love of truth and goodness. 
What we ask for, is rigid scrutiny, candid investigation, 
and that men will not decide against us before examining 
evidence. Grant this, and we fear not the result — for, 
whoever examines, believes. This is confirmed by the 
whole history of phrenology, and, with a single instance, 
in illustration, I close the present essay. 

In 1818, the Royal Institute of France offered a prize, to 
the author of the best memoir on the anatomy of the brain, 
in the four classes of the vertebral animals. Attracted by 
this, Dr. Vimont, of Caen, commenced researches without 
reference to phrenology ; indeed, he had not read Gall, and 
had only heard of him as a charlatan. However, as Gall 
had written upon the subject of his researches, he thought 
it incumbent on him to read his work among others. 
41 Hardly," says he, " had I begun to read it, when I 
found that I had to do with one of those extraordinary men, 
whom dark envy endeavours to exclude from the rank to 
which their genius calls them, and against whom it em- 
ploys the arms of the coward and the hypocrite. High 
cerebral capacity, profound penetration, good sense, varied 
information, were the qualities which struck me as dis- 
liuguishing Gall. The indifference which I first felt for his 
writings, soon gave way to the most profound veneration." 
— Introduction, p. 14. 

Vimont commenced investigations into the phrenology 
of brutes, and continued them with extraordinary perseve- 
rance. In 1827, he presented to the Institute, a memoir 
containing a fragment of the researches on which he had 
spent so many years, together with two thousand five hun- 
dred heads of brutes of various classes, orders, genera, and 
species. Among these, fifteen hundred had belonged to 
brutes, with whose habits, he had been individually well 
acquainted before they died or were killed. He presented 
four hundred wax representations of the brain, modelled 



46 RECAPITULATION. 

after nature, and an atlas of more than three hundred fig- 
ures of the brain and cranium, having expended upwards 
of twelve thousand francs in procuring specimens. The 
work in which he now sets forth his observations, is illus- 
trated by an atlas of one hundred arid twenty plates, con- 
taining six hundred figures. I have seen an inferior edition, 
published at Brussels, but not the work itself. The plates 
are said to be exquisite, and to surpass, in accuracy of di- 
mensions, any thing before attempted in anatomy. Dr. El- 
liotson remarks, that " if the immense mass of proofs of 
phrenology from the human head, and the facts pointed out 
by Gall, in brutes, are not sufficient to convince the most 
prejudiced, the additional multitude amassed by Dr. Vi- 
mont will overwhelm them."* 

I have now shown briefly, the aberrations of the human 
understanding, and the darkness in which it became invol- 
ved, previous to the recognition of the Baconian, as the 
only true method of investigation. 1 have briefly endea 
voured to illustrate that method, its vast utility and impor- 
tance ; and to prove, that by the rigid application of its 
rules, the principles of phrenology have been elaborated 
from nature. I have shown that, in doing this, there has 
been no mere conjectures, no anticipation of facts, no castle- 
building, nor system making. But that phrenologists have 
proceeded in exact accordance with the order of the in- 
tellectual faculties. Like the bee, which, as Lord Bacon 
observes, first gathers matter from the fields and gardens, 
and then digests it and prepares it for use by its own native 
powers, they have laboriously and carefully gathered facts 
from a vast field of observation ; these they have rigidly 
compared and classified, have noticed their multifarious 
relationships, and detected the dependence of mental facul- 
ties for manifestation on certain recognizable material or- 
gans and conditions, which they have described and ex- 

* Elliotson's Physiology, 5th ed. p. 406. 



RECAPITULATION. 47 

plained. In doing this, I have proceeded, somewhat at 
length, through the proofs on which we rest our belief in 
the existence of an organ, by, and through which, alone, 
love of young is manifested. — Proofs sufficiently strong, if 
joined with the necessary personal investigation, to sweep 
away ail doubt, and overwhelm all opposition. I have, 
finally, endeavoured to illustrate the folly and presumption 
of those who decide without evidence, and erect themselves 
into oracles. And to impress upon all, that it is the duty 
of man to listen eagerly for the voice of truth, and whether 
it be heard in an appeal from without, or be heard, like the 
11 still small voice" of conscience, arising in the hour of 
thoughtful meditation, from the depths of the soul, that 
whenever, wherever, however, it be heard, for him it is to 
follow its dictates with assurance of unerring guidance. 



SKETCH 

OP THE RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT CONDITION, OP 

PHRENOLOGY. 

On no subject has there been a greater diversity of opin- 
ion, than on the functions of the brain. It has been re- 
garded as a sponge, attracting to itself the humidity of tin 
body ; as a cold, humid mass, destined to temper the heat 
of the heart ; as a mere excresence of the spinal marrow ; 
as a prolongation of the blood vessels ; as a collection of 
confused intestines ; as a gland secreting an impure fluid ; 
and even Bichat saw in it nothing more than an envelope, 
destined to secure the parts on the internal base of the 
brain !* 

* See Gall. Vol. ii. j Introduction. 



48 ANCIENT OPINIONS ON THE BRAIN. 

From the earliest recorded time however, there have been 
those whose views more nearly approximated to truth. 
Though these views can be considered merely as fortunate 
conjectures, mixed up with gross absurdities. 

It is remarkable, as Ehrenberg observes,* that 500 years 
before the Christian era, (and no historical record ascends 
higher,) Pythagoras, to whom the existence of nerves was 
unknown, should maintain that the brain is the chief seat 
of the souJ, and the seat of the intellect.! In the treatise on 
Epilepsy, erroneously ascribed to Hippocrates, it is assert- 
ed that by the brain we think and perceive, see and hear, and 
distinguish the base from the honourable, and the bad from 
the good, adding that its disorder produces frightful dreams, 
panic terrors, and even mental derangement. J 

We find that the multiplex character of the brain has had 
its advocates. St. Gregory compared the brain to a city 
with many gates and a number of streets. Nemesius taught 
that sensation has its seat in the anterior, memory in the 
middle, and understanding in the posterior ventricles. Ah 
bertus Magnus, in the thirteenth century, delineated a head 
on which he indicated the fancied seats of the different 
mental powers. Peter de 3Iontagnana, and John Rohan de 
Retham, in 1491 and 1500, published others. Bernard Gor- 
don, and Ludovico Dolci, a Venetian, published similar de- 
lineations. Servito, Willis, Bonnet, Boerhaave, Haller,and 
Prochaska maintained the doctrine of plurality of organs 
in the brain. 

Again, an obscure notion that some degree of correspon- 
dence exists between the size of the head and the mental 
character, has existed for ages. The ancient sculptors rep- 
resented their highly intellectual men and gods with large 
heads, and their mere fighting men, and unintellectual dei- 
ties with small ones. This was doubtless the result of ob- 

* On the structure of the nervous system ; sec. 1. 
t Diogenes Laert. viii ; 30. 
JDr. Craigie. 



ANCIENT OPINIONS ON THE BRAIN. 49 

serving that large size is most frequently the accompani- 
ment of intellectual antl moral greatness. Thus they had 
to represent Pericles as wearing a helmet to hide the extra- 
ordinary size of his head, and Plutarch relates of him that 
he might he seen sitting in the street fatigued by its enor- 
mous weight; at other times, remarks the biographer, thun- 
der and lightning issued from this monstrous head with a 
tremendous noise. Compare the head of Bacchus with 
that of Jupiter, the one with a relatively small head, the 
other with an enormous one. Compare the head of Venus 
with that of Minerva, great difference exists. 

But the form of the head has also been recognized as 
bearing a relation to the mental character. It is remarka- 
ble, observes Dr. EJliotson,* that Aristotle in his Physiog- 
nomy, though he gives a number of ridiculous signs of 
character from the face and numerous parts of the body, 
gives three only from the cranium, but those three are in 
strict accordance with Phrenology. " Those who have 
a large head are sagacious, are like dogs ;f those who have 
a small head are stupid, are like asses ; those who have a 
conical head have no shame, are like birds with curved 
claws." 

It is no less remarkable, that one of each of these points 
is spoken of, by each of the three greatest poets : 

" His fair large front and eye sublime declare 
Absolute rule." — Milton's Paradise Lost, b. iv. 



•Hum. Phys.5ed. 370. 

t Yet Dr. Sewell says, " While Aristotle regarded the brain as multi- 
plex, he considered a small head as the standard of perfection.' — (Exam. 
of Phrenology, p. 121.) On this Dr. Caldwell remarks, u - 1 do not be- 
lieve that Aristotle has pronounced a small head an evidence of ■ supe- 
rior intellect,' because I have been unable to find the assertion in his ori- 
ginal works — I mean his works in his native tongue. T have carefully 
looked through his philosophical writings for the sentiment X\\ f;ne«ti*0, 
but looked in vain. — Phrenology Vindicated, p. 30 

5 






50 OPINIONS OF DR. BENJAMIN RUSH. 

" I will have none on't; we shall lose our time 

And all be turned to barnacles or to apes 

With foreheads villanoiisly low — Tempest, Activ. sc. I. 

Homer gives the basest fellow who went to Troy a conical 
head — a miserable development of the seat of the moral 
sentiments. 

Compare the statue of the Gladiator with that of Jupi- 
ter, and you will find the one with a low, retreating fore- 
head, thick neck and wide basilar region ; the other with 
a forehead truly magnificent, piled up and spread out, 
a worthy ideal temple for the all comprehending intellect 
of the " father of Gods and the king of men." 

" The nearest approach," says Mr. Combe, " to Gall's 
discovery which has come under my notice, is one that the 
opponents of phrenology have not referred to. It is con- 
tained in an inquiry into the influence of physical causes 
upon the moral faculty, delivered by Dr. Benjamin Rush, 
before a meeting of the American Philosophical Society, 
held at Philadelphia on the 27th of February, 1786. In 
this inquiry coming discoveries may be said to have cast 
their shadows before, and Dr. Rush, by observing and faith- 
fully recording the phenomena of Nature, has brought to 
light several important truths, which have since been con- 
firmed and elucidated by phrenology, in a manner that 
evinces, on his part, extraordinary depth and perspicacity 
of intellect, combined with the highest moral qualities."* 
In this essay Dr. Rush powerfully maintains, that over the 
manifestations of the mind, physical causes have a most 
important influence. Of the peculiar features of Phrenolo- 
gy, however, the distinctness of the cerebral organs 5 and the 
possibility of estimating their force by external develop- 
ments, he takes no notice. 

It appears to me, that no author had approached more 

* An Inquiry, &c, with an introductory notice, by George Combe, 
Philadelphia, 1839. 



OPINIONS OF SWEDENBORG. 51 

nearly to the doctrines of Gall than Emanuel Swedenborg, 
the sincere, amiable, and highly moral and intellectual vis- 
ionary of Sweden, who was born in 1689, and who died in 
1772. Throughout his voluminous writings, allusions to 
the dependence of the mental faculties on material condi- 
tions continually occur. To enable the Phrenologist to 
judge of their value, I shall present some of them in a 
connected form. 

Brain the organ of Mind. 

" That the principles or beginnings of life are in the 
brains is manifest. 1. From sense itself, in that when a man 
applies his mind to any thing and thinks, he perceives that 
he thinks in the brain, he draws inwardly as it were, with 
his eyesight, and keeps his forehead intense, and perceives 
that there is inwardly a speculation, chiefly within the fore- 
head, and somewhat above. * * * 4th. That when the 
brain is hurt either in the womb, or by a wound, or by dis- 
ease, or by too great application, thought is debilitated, and 
sometimes the mind is delirious. 5th. That all the external 
senses of the body, which are the sight, hearing, smell, 
taste, together with the general sense, which is the feeling, 
as also the speech, are in the anterior part of the head, 
which is called the face, and have immediate communica- 
tion by fibres with the brain, and derive thence their sensi- 
tive and active life."* 

u It is there (the brain) also whence come the thoughts, 
which are of the understanding, and the affections which 
are of the will."t 

" For the brain, where the mind of man is, hath respect 
to the ends of the body."f 

* Divine Love and Divine Wisdom, Latin, Amsterdam, 1763. Eng- 
lish, Boston, 1835. No. 362. 
t Arcana Coelestia. No. 4042. 
X Idem. No. 4054, et passim. 



52 OPNIIONS OP SWEDENBORG. 

11 Every one skilled in anatomy may see, that round 
about the cerebrum, also within it, and in the cerebellum, 
and in the spinal marrow, there are little spheres like dots, 
called the cortical and cineritious substances and glands, 
and that all the fibres whatsoever in the brains, and all the 
nerves derived from them throughout the body, come forth 
and proceed from those little spheres or substances. * * * 
The eye does not see from itself, but by what is continuous 
from the understanding, for the understanding sees by the 
eye, and also moves by the eye, determines it to the ob- 
jects, and gives intensity to sight. * * * In like man- 
ner the muscles, these not being moved of themselves, but 
from the will together with the understanding, which actu- 
ate them at their own disposal ; from which considerations, 
it is evident, that there is not any thing in the body which 
feels and is moved of itself, but from its origins, in which 
reside the understanding and will, consequently, which are 
in man the receptacles of love and wisdom, whilst the or- 
gans both of sense and motion, are forms derived from 
them.*" 

Influence of the Brain on Mental Operations. 

"Many suppose that the perceptions and cogitations of the 
mind, (as being spiritual things,) present themselves to us 
naked and destitute of all organized forms ; but this is ow- 
ing to their ignorance of the formation and offices of the 
brain, with the various intertextures and convolutions in its 
cineritious and medullary substances, its different glands, 
sinews and partitions, and numberless imperceptible fibril- 
lee, and these invested with its meninges and matres, (dura 
and pia,) all which afford infinite materials and receptacles 
to the mind for the configuration of ideas. Now upon the 
good condition of these parts depends the soundness of the 

* Divine Love and Divine Wisdom, p. 66. See also Universal The- 
ology, No. 351, and Arcana Ccelestia, No. 4040. 



opinions of swi:di:nrorg. 5<> 

intellectual operations, and the regular determination of the 
will in this our natural state, so that a man is deemed rational 
or moral in proportion to the right organization of the mental 
forms ; for the rational sight of man, which is the understan- 
ding can no more be said to exist here in this outward world 
without organs properly adapted to the reception of spiritual 
light, than the bodily sight to exist without eyes."* 

Distinct Facidties of the Mind have distinct Organs of the 
Brain, and Mental activity affects the form of the Skull. 

" Every man that is born has a disposition to all sorts of 
evil, which must be checked by education, and as far as 
possible, rooted out. This is first to be attempted by cor- 
rection and punishment, then by good society and exam- 
ple, which leads to imitation ; and at last, good is secured 
upon a true and reasonable religious root. When these 
conditions are all observed, it is indicated by the beautiful 
skull of the individual. On the " contrary, should the 
education be neglected, or no sudden misfortune, or 
opposition, hinder the first outbreakings of evil, or dis- 
order, the evil afterwards becomes habit, and produces 
peculiar wishes, both in design and practice, which cause 
the formation of a badly shaped skull. The cause of the 
difference of skulls, in such cases, is this : The peculiar 
distinctions of man, will and understanding, have their 
seats in the brain, which is excited by the fleeting desires 
of the will, and the ideas of the intellect. Near the vari- 
ous spots where these irritations produce their effects, 
this or that part of the brain is called into a greater or less 
degree of activity, and forms along with itself correspond- 
ing parts of the skuhV't 

* Treatise on the nature of influx, by E. S. Boston, 1794, p. 72. 

1 1 have not met with this passage in Swedenborg's writings, but it is 
quoted by Dr. Sewell in his Ex. of Phren., p. 12, from a memoir of 
Swedenborg, by Capt. Walden; Copenhagen, 1806. 

5* 



54 GALL A DISCOVERER. 

On account of these things a few captious writers have 
endeavoured to lessen, if not destroy, the merit of Gall as a 
discoverer; an attempt of which that noble spirit now 
recks not, and which can have no effect on the truth or 
utility of Phrenology. Still we remind such objectors that 
Giordano Bruno had said " that it is by no means impro- 
bable that there are other planets revolving round our own 
sun, which we have not noticed, either on account of their 
minute size or remote distance," yet this detracts not from 
the merit of Herschel. Some had expressed confused no- 
tions concerning the circulation of the blood ; yet we al- 
low not this to tarnish the honours of Harvey. Bacon sug- 
gested that there may be some kind of magnetic influence 
operating by consent between the earth and heavy bodies, 
the moon and the waters of the sea, the starry heavens and 
the planets ; yet we strip not Newton of his crown. Ba- 
con had said that it seemed to him incredible that the rays 
of celestial bodies can instantaneously pass to us, and that 
he suspected that the stars are not seen by us in their true 
situations ; yet we do not consider this as diminishing the 
merit of Dr. Bradley, the prover of the aberration of light. 
Bacon conjectured, that air might be converted into water 
by condensation ; yet Biot's fame is not on this account les- 
sened. A few farmers had long been acquainted with the 
efficacy of cow pox matter ; yet this did not preclude Jen- 
ner from a parliamentary reward, and a world's grati- 
tude. So others darkly guessed, at what Gall clearly pro- 
ved. He was not content with guessing ; he demonstra- 
ted, by laborious investigation and rigid induction. He 
travelled from city to city, teaching and extending his ob- 
servations : he devoted to the task his property, his talents, 
his energies for many years, steadily pursuing his course 
amid laughter, mockery and vituperation. Columbus like, 
he lay not supinely on his back, vaguely conjecturing that 
beyond the vast and trackless ocean might lie some rich and 
undiscovered country. No ; despite the " Gorgons, hydras, 






MEASURE OF MENTAL CAPACITY. 5j5 

and chimeras dire," which seemed to beset his career ; des- 
pite the storms of opposition, the threats and forebodings of 
bigotry and superstition, he kept his onward course, nor 
rested till the anxiously sought for land beamed upon his 
sight — till he had planted his standard on the new, but no 
longer unknown, world. Nobly did he win his laurels; be 
it our care that not a leaf be plucked from his brow. 

Those physiologists who admitted the brain to be the or- 
gan of mind, were particularly anxious to find, by its gene- 
ral form, or by its relations to other parts, a measure for the 
intellectual faculties and the moral qualities. Of their at- 
tempts Gall gives a full account in the second volume of his 
work on the Functions of the Brain. 

Aristotle, Galen, and others maintained that, of all ani- 
mals, man had the most considerable mass of brain, and 
that this accounted for his superiority ; but the brain of the 
elephant and that of the whale are heavier. The brain of 
a whale in the museum of Berlin weighed 51bs. 5oz. ldr.* 

Cuvier and others have attempted to establish a relation 
between the amount of mental capacity, and the proportion 
of the brain to the rest of the body ; but the sparrow, the 
robin, the wren, and several species of monkeys, have, in 
proportion to the body, a much larger brain than man. 

Wrisberg and Soemmering concluded that of all animals, 
man has the largest brain in proportion to the nerves in gen- 
eral ; but if the monkey, the little sea dog, or many birds, 
be compared with him in this respect, the result will be in 
their favour. 

Cuvier, Soemmering and Ebel considered the relative pro- 
portion of the brain and spinal marrow as the most infalli- 
ble measure of the intellectual faculties. But Cuvier him- 
self admits that there are exceptions to this rule, and addu- 
ces the dolphin as an instance. 

Others maintained that the proportion of the brain to the 

■ Miiller's Physiology, London, 1338. p. 815. 



56 MEASURE OP MENTAL CAPACITY. 

face indicates the mental capacity. Plato, and, after him, 
Bichat and Richerand, maintained that there is a propor- 
tion between the length of the neck and the vigour of 
intellect, the shortest neck being the most favourable. 
" Here," says Gall, " the authority of Plato proves but 
one thing, which is, that men who enjoy great reputation 
ought, above all others, to avoid throwing out ideas at ran- 
dom ; for, however erroneous they may be, they will be 
repeated for centuries." 

In order to determine the cerebral mass, Camper drew a 
base line from the roots of the upper front teeth to the ex- 
ternal openingofthe ear ; then another straight line from the 
upper front teeth to the most elevated point of the forehead : 
according to him the intellectual faculties of the man or 
animal, are in direct proportion to the magnitude of the 
angle, made by those two lines. Lavater, with this 
idea for a basis, constructed a scale of perfection from the 
frog to the Apollo Belvidere. Cuvier furnishes a list of 
men and animals in support of this doctrine. But the 
facial angle of the same individual differs immensely at 
different periods of life ; and Blumenbach shows that near- 
ly three fourths of the animals known, have the same facial 
angle. 

Seeing then, that men were anxiously searching an indi- 
cation of mental capacity, and that each of the fallacious 
methods above enumerated was received with favour, and 
was copied from book to book, and from periodical to peri- 
odical, the respective proposers receiving in every case an 
increase of celebrity, on account of their proposition, it 
would seem likely, a priori, that Gall's discoveries would 
have been received with acclamation and not have been 
strenuously, and, in many cases, ferociously opposed and 
denounced. Men, on this subject, were involved in dark- 
ness, and when a twilight glimmer, or ignis fatuus faintly 
twinkled on their searching eyes, they bent towards it with 
eager gaze, and hailed and blessed it as the harbinger of 



RECEPTION OP PIIRENOLOOV. 57 

day ; but when day itself beamed suddenly upon them, they 
closed their eyes and raved, and thus merely exchanged the 
darkness of midnight, for the darkness of excessive light. 
The history of the reception of Gall's discoveries, and of 
the treatment which his works and those of his immediate 
followers met with, from the authorities in literature and sci- 
ence, will ever be an interesting chapter in the annals of 
human civilization. Men talk largely of the superior lib- 
erality of the present age, and justly perhaps. This supe- 
riority, however, appears to me to consist in the currency 
of a number of opinions formerly proscribed, but which 
have, from time to time, burst the barriers of prejudice and 
bigotry, rather than in an enlarged spirit of candour to- 
wards opposing doctrines. To prove our greater liberality, 
it is not sufficient to show that we receive as true, what our 
ancestors rejected as false. To ascertain the liberality of 
Harvey's age, we do not ask whether it believed the doc- 
trines of Galileo, but how it received those of Harvey. 
To ascertain the liberality of Newton's age, we do not ask 
whether it believed the doctrines of Galileo and Harvey, 
but how it received those of Newton. So to ascertain the 
decree of liberality which now prevails, men, in after times, 
will not ask whether we accredited the doctrines of Galileo, 
Harvey and Newton, but how we received those of Gall. 
And I see not how the conclusion can be avoided, that to- 
wards that which is really new in kind, the present age is 
as intolerant as were past ages. The material rack and 
faggot are not, indeed, brought into requisition, because 
philosophers do not wield the power of the rack ; because 
the conviction that such applications are utterly ineffi- 
cacious, as suppressive measures, has forced itself, by 
long and horrible experience, on the minds of men. But 
when a profound genius, after years of anxious and un- 
remitting investigation, during which energy would have 
sunk, but for the glowing and lofty hope of benefitting the 
human race, brings forward a momentous discovery ; he 



58 RECEPTION OF PHRENOLOGY. 

is met with the dark scowl of insulted pride, and against 
him the shafts of ridicule, the rack of sarcasm, and the 
fires of rage and denunciation are brought into full play. 
He offers to his fellow men an inestimable boon, and they 
turn sneeringly away, asking what " the babbler" says, 
waiting not for a reply. Or they mock at him and de- 
nounce him, and strive to blast his good name. The vio- 
lent cry out charlatan and scoundrel, while the pretenders 
to charity, in soft and silvery tones, beg that the poor un- 
fortunate may be excused on account of his manifest in- 
sanity. The history of Gall's discoveries proves all this. 
Well was it that the great master and his immediate fol- 
lowers could gaze on calmly and forgivingly, repeating that 
ever memorable saying: u This is truth though at enmity 
with the philosophy of ages ." 

Gall, on the 9th of January 1802, was commanded, by the 
Austrian government, to discontinue his lectures on the 
functions of the brain ; in consequence of which, he was 
forced either to cease his labours, or tear himself from 
friends, home, and a rich and extensive practice. He nobly 
chose the latter, and on March 6th, 1805, he left Vienna for 
ever, accompanied by his young associate Dr. Spurzheim. 

I shall not dwell on the reception of the new doctrines by 
the Institute of France, and by the scientific men on the 
continent of Europe ; but shall make a few extracts from 
British and American works, as demonstrative of the fore- 
going remarks. 

u We look on the whole doctrines taught by these two 
peripatetics, (Gall and Spurzheim) anatomical, physiologi- 
cal and physiognomical, as a piece of thorough quackery 
from beginning to end." Edin. Review. No. 49. 

" They (the doctrines of Gall and Spurzheim,) are a col- 
lection of mere absurdities, without truth, connexion, or 
consistency ; an incoherent rhapsody, which nothing could 
have induced any man to have presented to the public, un- : 



RECEPTION OF PHRENOLOGY. 59 

der a pretence of instructing them, but absolute insanity \ 
gross ignorance, or the most matchless arrogance ." Ibid. 

11 Such is the trash, the despicable trumpery " Ibid. 

" The writings of Drs. Gall and Spurzheini have not 
added one fact to the stock of our anatomical knowledge." 
Ibid. 

" Madame de Stael is by far too indulgent to such igno- 
rant and interested quacks as the craniologist Gall." Lon. 
Quar. Review. 

"A wild effusion of a bewildered imagination." Dr. 
Rogct, in the Encyclopedia Britannica. 

11 Fool and phrenologist are terms as nearly synomymous 
as can be found in any language." Blackwood's Mag. 

" These infernal idiots the phrenologists." Ibid. 

" The difficulty with phrenology, is the utter absence of 
any evidence in favour of it." N. Am. Rev. July, 1S33. 

"Of the principal phrenological writers, including Gall 
and Spurzheini, and with one exception in favour of Mr. 
Combe, who appears to us to have allowed his natural acute 
iiess and professional tendency to hair-splitting to bias his 
better judgment — we can say with sincerity, that to judge 
from their works, they are alike deficient in learning and 
accuracy." Ibid. 

" The most extravagant departure from all legitimate 
modes of reasoning, although still under the colour of ana- 
tomical investigation, is the system of Dr. Gall. It is suf- 
ficient to say, that without comprehending the grand divis- 
ions of the nervous system, without a notion of the distinct 
properties of the individual nerves, or having made any 
distinction of the columns of the spinal marrow, without 
even having ascertained the difference of cerebrum and cere- 
bellwn, Gall proceeded to describe the brain as composed 
of many particular and independent organs, and to assign 
to each the residence of some special faculty." Sir Charles 
Bell, 1836. 

<: Experience shows that the system of organs proposed 



60 HAS PHRENOLOGY TRIUMPHED. 

by Gall has no foundation" Elements of Physiology, by 
by J. Midler. 3L I). ; translated with notes by JV. Baly. 31. 
1). London, IHlHjy.SaZ. 

" M. Mtigeiidie is very right, in placing Cranioscopy in 
the same category, as Astrology and Alchymy." Ibidj). S3S. 

These quotations from Miiller receive no comment from 
the translator and annotator, and must be supposed, there- 
fore, to express his own views. 

It ivoufd be easy to multiply quotations written in the 
same general spirit, but these will suffice to show the man- 
ner in which phrenology was received. For a triumphanS 
answer to the mendacious assertions that they contain, I 
refer to the reports which I have the honour to present to 
the public. 

But I must here respectfully record my dissent from an 
opinion recently expressed by the most distinguished of 
American phrenologists, in a brief publication, with the 
general views of which I entirely coincide : " 1 have said 
nothing" says Dr. Caldwell " about the future triumph of 
phrenology, for one of the best of reasons. Its triumph is 
past ; and there will be no renewal of the war which it has 
sustained with such preeminent success." Thoughts on the 
true connexion between Phrenology and Religion. — Louis- 
ville, 1839, ]). 19. Again, " Where is the writer of standing, 
where the periodical of influence and authority, that now 
contests the truth of these principles ? they do not exist." 
Ibid p. 22. 

"What is a triumph 1 Clearly a victory in which the oppo- 
nent is completely subdued, and the victor's superiority ac- 
knowledged. Can phrenology yet claim such a triumph I 
A short time ago the London Quarterly treated it as false, 
in a review of Combe's outlines. And since that, the same 
Review has said of the accomplished Chenivix, that though 
"a man of vigorous talents and very considerable learning, 
he became a sad dreamer in his latter days, he was a devout 
disciple of the Phrenological quacks." While I now write* 



HAS PHRENOLOGY TRIUMPHED 1 G] 

a number of the Boston Quarterly Review, comes under my 
notice, in which it is said that the "'ignorance and simplici- 
ty" betrayed by phrenologists, " can hardly be expected 
not to excite a smile of pleasantry, or of contempt, in every 
man of ordinary discernment and information." (April, 
LS39. p. 229.) But twelve months ago the respected 
author himself, from whom I have quoted, wrote answers 
to two opponents, both of whom, are medical professors. 
Not six months ago, (Nov. 26. 1838, in the Cincinnati Daily 
News) he challenged three gentlemen, Drs. Mc. Dowell 
and Harrison, and Professor Mussey, to controversy, on 
account of their denunciations of phrenology. But last 
winter, the professor of Physiology in the Medical college 
of this city spoke of phrenology as a mere chimera. Every 
where we meet with denouncers and ridiculers of phreno- 
logy. Every where is the acknowledgment of our belief 
received with a half-repressed smile. Surely, this cannot 
be called a triumph. That phrenology will ultimately 
triumph, I profoundly believe. That it has done so, I 
am sorry to see stated. For it has a tendency to slacken 
the energy, and cool the ardour, of young phrenologists, 
to be told that "the entire day of actual war has gone by ;" 
and that the presumption is " they are flocking to gather 
'the spoils of victory.'" 

It is true, indeed, that the principles of phrenology are 
proved, but the proof of right no more constitutes a triumph 
in science, than in war. It was right that Poland should 
be free, but Russia triumphed. That " by all who have 
studied phrenology its doctrines are accredited" may be, 
and is true, but the question is one of acknowledgment, 
not of proof, and that examination and conviction are in- 
separable, was as true before Dr. Caldwell himself accredit- 
ed phrenology, as it is at this day. When the physiology 
of the brain, as taught by phrenologists, shall be that taught 
in all medical institutions ; when the mental philosophy de- 
veloped by that physiology shall be the mental philosophy 



62 NAMES. 

of the schools and colleges; when the language of that phi- 
losophy shall be seen in the current literature, and be 
heard in the senate, from the pulpit and the bar ; then, 
and not till then, will phrenology have triumphed. And 
before that auspicious day come, long and arduous must be 
the struggle. 

But with pleasure and gratitude do we acknowledge, that 
that part of the struggle which has passed, has been far 
more arduous than that which now is, or which is yet to 
come. That whatever accusation may lie against others, 
the charge of fair-weather championship can never be 
brought against the Combes and the Caldwells. 

Craniology was the name early bestowed on the physi- 
ology of the brain, but Gall thus objects to it : " They call 
me Craniologist, and the science which I discovered, Crani- 
ology ; but, in the first place, all learned words displease 
me ; next, this is not one applicable to my profession, nor 
one which really designates it. The object of my research- 
es is the brain. The cranium is only a faithful cast of the 
external surface of the brain, and is, consequently, but a 
minor part of the principal object. This title, therefore, is as 
inapplicable as would be maker of rhymes, to the poet."* 

The present name Phrenology, was not first applied by 
Spurzheim, as Mr. Capen states ;t but by Dr. Forster.f 

To designate the organs, Gall chose words or phrases ex- 
pressive of the manifestations which he had observed them 
to produce, leaving their confirmation or correction to future 
observers ; following, in this respect, the rule generally 
adopted by scientific investigators.§ Spurzheim, conform- 

* Letter to Baron Retzer, Teutchen Merker, 1798. 

t Biography of Spurzheim, Boston, p. 160. 

X Sketch of Phrenology, by Dr. Thomas Forster, London, 1816. A 
Guide to Human and Comparative Phrenology, by Dr. H. W. Dew- 
hurst, London, 1831, p. 14. Recuil des Ouvrages et de Pensees d'un 
Physicien, fcc. par Thomas Forster, Francfort sur le Mein, 1836. p. 12. 
Elliotson's Blumenbach, 1838, p. 690. 

§ See Gall, vol. 4, p. 13. 






LABOURS OP GALL. (y% 

ably with enlarged views of function, changed many of il 
names; in some instances, to others more appropriate or 

comprehensive. In all his changes, however, he was not 
so successful. 

I shall now exhibit a conspectus of the principles estab- 
lished, and the organs discovered, by the father of phrenolo- 
gy ; together with his proposed methods of classifying the 
organs, and of classifying men according to organic de- 
velopment. Also, a brief account of his anatomical dis- 
coveries, and of the views he entertained concerning the 
application of his doctrines. He established, 

1. That the mental faculties are innate. 

2. That the brain is the organ of mind. 

3. That the form and size of the brain are distinguish- 
able, by the form and size of the head or skull. 

4. That the mind possesses distinct faculties, and the 
brain is composed of distinct organs, and that each mental 
faculty is manifested through a distinct cerebral organ. 

5. That the size of each organ can be estimated during 
life, and that size, other things being equal, is the measure 
of power. 

6. That each organ, when predominantly active, impress- 
es the body with certain uniform attitudes and movements, 
called its natural language. 

He discovered the following organs : 1. Amativeness. 
2. Love of Young. 3. Attachment. 4. Propensity to op- 
pose, or Combativeness. 5. Propensity to injure, or De- 
structiveness. 6. Secretiveness. 7. Acquisitiveness. 8. 
Self-esteem. 9. Love of approbation. 10. Cautiousness. 
11. Educability, (afterwards discovered by Spurzheim and 
the Edinburgh phrenologists to be compound, and to in* 
elude the organ of Individuality and of Eventuality.) 12. Lo- 
cality. 13. Form. 14. Language. 15. Colour. 16. Tune. 
17. Number. 18. Constructiveness. 19. Comparison. 
20. Causality. 21. Wit. 22. Ideality. 23. Benevolence. 



64 LABOURS OF GALL. 

24. Imitation. 25. Veneration. 26. Firmness. 27. Won- 
der. [See Gall, vol. 5. p. 211.] 

Gall considered it probable, that there is an organ for the 
propensity to take food. Dr. Hoppe, Mr. Crook, Mr. 
Combe, and others, have established it. 

He supposed, at one time, that love of life is a distinct 
function, and thought he had discovered its organ ; but sub- 
sequently considered himself mistaken. A distinguished 
editor of Scotland, being in conversation with Mr. Combe, 
remarked, that his love of life was such, that he would ra- 
ther suffer " eternal damnation," than be annihilated. Mr. 
Combe contrasting the vivacity of the feeling in this gentle- 
man, with its comparative weakness in himself, concluded 
that the difference probably depended upon the different 
development of some distinct cerebral organ, and from that 
time searched for an external sign. Dr. Combe, however, 
has the merit of making the only valuable observation 
which I have seen upon this subject. [See Phren. Journal, 
1826, p, 467, and the succeeding lectures.] 

Gall considered it probable that there is an organ of at- 
tachment for life. [Vol 3, p. 306.] Vimont thinks he has 
discovered its seat. 

He gave reasons for believing the sense of order to be a 
distinct fundamental faculty. [Vol. 4. p. 283.] 

He thought the sense of time must be a fundamental facul- 
ty. [Vol. 5. p. 9S.] 

He discovered the dependence of attachment to place, on 
cerebral development, but confounded it with Self-esteem 
to which it lies contiguous. Spurzheim seems to have cor- 
rected this error, but the functions of the region between 
Self-esteem and Love of Young are still in dispute. 

It has been objected to Gall, that his works are a series 
of disjointed facts. No assertion can be more incorrect. 
He did not, indeed, reduce his doctrines to a system of ex- 
act classification, but he pointed out almost all that is valu- 
able in the classifications now adopted. Gall was not a 



LAliOURS OF GALL. G5 

system maker, according to the usual acceptation of the 
term. But while he kept assiduously at work, establishing 
fact after fact, he was keenly scrutinizing the results of his 
labours tha f he might discover, if possible, the arrangements 
of nature's self. Well was he rewarded for his philosophic 
caution. System gradually " rose like an exhalation" from 
the seeming chaos. It is believed by the faithful followers 
of Mahomed, that to form the temple of Mecca, a stone 
came ready hewn from every mountain in the world, exactly 
fitted to fill the place it now occupies. So with the phre- 
nological organs. All at first seemed confused and unre- 
lated ; but gradually they grouped themselves together, 
each in its proper place, and formed, before the admiring 
eyes of the great investigator, a system of wondrous har- 
mony, and of matchless symmetry and beauty. 

11 After I had a thousand times considered the arrange- 
ment of organs," says Gall, "I was struck with the follow- 
ing great truths : — 

" 1. The qualities and the faculties, which are common to 
man and animals, have their seat in the inferior posterior, 
the posterior inferior, or the anterior inferior parts of the 
brain. 

11 2. The qualities and faculties which man exclusively en- 
joys, and which form the barrier by which he is separated 
from the brute, have their seat in those parts which are 
wanting in animals, and we must consequently seek them 
in the anterior superior, and the superior anterior parts of 
the forehead. 

" 3. The more indispensable the qualities and faculties 
may be, the more nearly are they placed to the base of the 
brain, or the median line. 

" 4. The organs of the fundamental qualities and facul- 
ties which aid each other, are placed near each other, as 
the organ of the love of offspring, and that of the instinct of 
propagation. 

" 5. The organs of the fundamental analogous qualities 
6* 



66 LABOURS OF GALL. 

and faculties are also placed near each other, as those of 
places, colours, tones and numbers. 

"Every one must be struck," he continues, "with the 
profound wisdom which is manifested in the arrangement 
and successive order of the organs. — We discover there 
the hand of God, whom we cannot cease to adore with the 
more astonishment, in proportion as his works are more 
displayed before our eyes."* 

Gall arranges heads into three groups: 1. Those of 
idiots. 2. Those of men whose talents are only moderate, 
3. Those of illustrious men, of vast and eminent genius.t 

He divides men into six classes in respect to internal, 
moral, and intellectual forces. 

1. Those in whom the faculties proper to man are com- 
pletely developed, while the animal faculties are feebly de- 
veloped. 

2. Those in whom the animal faculties are greatly de- 
veloped and the higher faculties but feebly. 

3. Those in whom both the higher and lower faculties 
are considerably developed. 

4. Those in whom one, or a few of the faculties are de- 
veloped to an extraordinary degree, while the others are at 
or below mediocrity. 

5. Those in whom some, or one, of the organs are veiy 
little developed, while the others are more favourably de- 
veloped, and active. 

6. Those in whom the organs common to animals and 
those proper to man, are equally moderate in their devel- 
opmentf 

These he elucidates in a brief but masterly manner. 
The organs of the inferior anterior, and superior anterior 
portions of the brain he divides into five regions.§ 

* Gall, toI. iii. p. 130. t Gall, rol. i. p. 179. t Gall, vol. i. p. 251. 
§ Gall, vol. iv. p. 232. 



LABOURS OF BALL. 67 

The faculties may, he states, be differently classified ac- 
cording to the view we wish to take of them. 

1. Into sentiments, propensities, talents, ancf intellectual 
faculties. 

2. Into faculties common to man and brutes, and facul- 
ties proper to man. 

3. Into fundamental faculties and their attributes.* 
This last is the arrangement which he prefers and adopts. 
Gall in 1805, demonstrated the brain to Reil, who ac- 
knowledged " that he had found more in Gall's dissections 
of the brain, than he thought any man could have discover, 
ed in his whole life.t " Having completed my studies in 
1804," says Dr. Spurzheim, " I became associated with 
Dr. Gall, and devoted myself entirely to anatomical in- 
quiries. At this period, Dr. Gall, in the anatomy, spoke of 
the decussation of the pyramidal bodies, of their passage 
through the pons varolii, of eleven layers of longitudinal and 
transverse fibres in the pons, of the continuation of the 
optic nerve to the anterior pair of the quadrigeminal bodies, 
of the exterior bundles, of the crura of the brain diverging 
beneath the optic nerves, in the direction which Vieussens, 
Monro, Vicq d' Azyr, and Reil had followed, the first by 
means of scraping, the others, by cutting the substance of 
the brain. Dr. Gall showed further the continuation of the 
anterior commissure across the striated bodies ; he also 
spoke of the unfolding of the brain that happens in hydro- 
cephalus."! 

From numerous passages in the works of Gall, we learn 
that he clearly perceived and pointed out the vast importance 
and comprehensiveness of his doctrines. He did this as 
early as 1798, in his admirable letter to Baron Retzer, pub- 
lished in the Teutchen Merker. Again, in 1802, in that 
noble document, his petition and remonstrance to the em- 

•GaD, vol. vi. p. 270. t Gall, vol. vi. p. 303. 

J Spurz. Anat. of the Brain, Boston, 1836, p. 16. 



68 COMPARATIVE MERITS OF GALL AND SPURZHEIM. 

peror of Austria. And in the opening of the sixth volume 
of his smaller work he remarks : " I have always had a con- 
sciousness of the dignity of my researches, and of the ex- 
tended influence which my doctrines will hereafter exercise 
on all the branches of human knowledge ; and for this rea-: 
son I am indifferent what may be said, either for or against 
my works." And, immediately afterwards, as if a vision 
of futurity had just burst upon his sight, he exclaims i 
Ci What advances in comparative anatomy, physiology, and 
comparative pathology of the nervous system ! What fruit- 
ful sources of undeniable principles for philosophical stu- 
dies, for the art of selecting, deducing the good from the 
dispositions of individuals, for directing the education of 
the young ! What precious materials for a criminal legis- 
lation, founded upon a complete knowledge of the motives 
of human actions ! How different will history appear to 
him who knows how to appreciate it, according to the domi- 
nant propensities and faculties of those personages, who 
have been its great actors."* 

* Gall ; vol. 6, p. 2. It is said by Capen, that, in Paris, Dr. Gall reali- 
zed a handsome fortune. [Biography of Spurzheim, p. 37.] Dr. Elliot- 
son, on the contrary, whose means of obtaining correct information seem 
to have been ample, says, that M Till Gall established himself in Paris, 
and rose into a very fine practice, (he was physician to many ambassa- 
dors,) he kept himself very poor from spending upon his phrenological 
pursuits, all he gained, after absolutely necessary expenses. And although 
he lived then in the most private manner, with the comforts indeed of a 
handsome lodging, a carriage, and a garden with a small house in the 
suburbs, he had saved so little, that had his illness been protracted, his 
friends, in a few months, must have supported him." [Phys. 5th ed. 
p. 404.] 

Gall, in his petition and remonstrance to the emperor ofAustria 
[1802] says, " 3. To this perilous injury to my reputation, involving the 
loss of all the advantages arising from the hard earned confidence of the 
public, must be added a consequence deeply affecting my interest. My 
collection of plaster casts, — of the skulls of men and animals, and of the 
brains of men and animals in wax, has cost me about seven thousand 
gulden; and I have already made very expensive preparations, exceeding 
in amount fifteen thousand gulden, for a splendid work on the functions 



COMPARATIVE MERITS OF CALL AND SPURZHEIM. 69 

I have stated thus at length our amount of indebtedness 

to Gall, as the groundwork of the opinion which I now ex- 
press, with respect, but with the profound conviction of its 
truth, that from by far the greater part of British and Ameri- 
can phrenologists, Gall has never received justice. This is 
not wonderful, indeed, for his works were expensive, and, 
until recently, entirely in a foreign language. Besides, 
Spurzheim, and not Gall, introduced phrenology into 
Britain, and taught it in the United States. His manners 
were winning, his mind of a high order, and calculated 
to leave an impression of intellectual and moral greatness. 
And among those who received the doctrines which he 
taught, Reverence bowed to him, and Benevolence warmed 
. towards him, and Friendship clung to him, and Conscien- 
§ tiousness yearned to discharge, as far as possible, that debt of 
j obligation to which the inestimable truths of which he was the 
\. minister, had subjected it, and it was seemingly forgotten 
o :hat he was not the master. Gall and Spurzheim were used 
is synonymes, and the latter more often and with more 
i jraise than the former. Hence, it appears to me, are we to 
'" iccount for the frequent occurrence of the phrase "founders 
f phrenology" applied to Gall and Spurzheim, (though 
; Spurzheim had no more to do with founding phrenology 
a- han the writer of this sentence ;) and for such opinions 
:li is the following : 

- f "Dr. Spurzheim found by observation, that in an individ- 
\ ml who manifests great self-esteem, a certain part of the 
rjj! >rain is fully developed : and likewise, that the individual 
i tarries his head high, and reclining backwards."* 

II The mind of Dr. Spurzheim, in our opinion, seems to 
2) mve been cast in a still more metaphysical mould than that 

Dr. Gall, who, though he has shown very uncommon 

.•', >t the brain, which has been universally demanded of me: this property 
. vill be rendered useless, by destroying my reputation." [See Combe's 
. ranslation of Gall and others, on the cerebellum, fyc. London, 1838, p. 334.] 
* Combe's answer to Roget. 



70 COMPARATIVE MERITS OP GALL AND SPURZHEIM. 

acuteness in his abstract inquiries upon mind, has yet left 
some points so feeble as to endanger the whole system"* 

" Spurzheim, the anatomist, who, by dissecting the brain, 
first displayed to the eye its fibrous and ganglionary struct- 
ure, and demonstrated the direction and connection of its 
filaments;" — "the philosopher, who, by the greatness of 
his own mind, raised craniology and physiognomy to the 
ethical science, phrenology."t 

"Gall and his no less illustrious associate.":}: 

" From the moment Spurzheim became the associate of 
Gall, the anatomy of the brain assumed a new character."§ 

" What a debt of gratitude do we owe to Gall." — u But 
a still deeper debt do we owe to Spurzheim, whose sagacity, 
amidst a labyrinth of apparent absurdity, found a clew to 
guide him to the shrine of Reason — whose resistless under- 
standing, penetrated the chaos of deformities, exaggerations 
and abuses, and saw, beneath the crude and shapeless mass, 
the true design of Omniscient Benevolence."|| 

" That Spurzheim was superior to Gall as an anatomist, 
we believe, all admit."fl 

" Time will prove that the foundation of the science of 
phrenology was laid by Gall : but, that without the aid of 
Spurzheim, the superstructure had not been reared"** 

I might greatly increase the number of such quotations, 
but these will suffice. Time, the great vindicator, who ever 
restores to the wronged one the riven spoils, will decide 
strangely indeed, if he decides as Dr. Stedman indicates : 
" Without the aid of Spurzheim, the superstructure had 
never been reared "! Before Spurzheim's engagement, as 
Gall's assistant, the father of phrenology had thrown down 

* Chenivix's art. in For. Qua. Rev. t Annals of Phren. Boston, 
1835. p. 72. ; Translator's preface to Gall's works. § Memoir of 
Spurzheim, by Dr. Carmichael, p. 4. || Ibid p. 95. IF Memoir of 
Spurzheim, by Nahum Capen, p. 164. ** Dr. Stedman's preface to 
Spurzheim's anatomy of the brain. Boston, 1835. 



COMPARATIVE MBEITfl OF BAIiL AM) sri R/IIEIM. 71 

the accumulated superstructures of ages, had cleared away 
the rubbish, hail laid the foundation of the new temple 
broad and deep, and had reared by far the greater part of 

its massive walls and its everlasting towers. The faithful 
student of Dr. Gall's works cannot, 1 think, read some of 
these quotations without a feeling of regret, that Dr. Spur- 
zheinvs eulogists should have thus attempted to raise their 
friend at Dr. Gall's expense. A just appreciation of his 
talents did not require it ; for we need not admire Spur* 
zheim the less, because we admire Gall the more. 

Let me here then recapitulate the following undeniable 
facts : Dr. Gall demonstrated the unsatisfactory nature of 
all existing explanations of mental phenomena, and of the 
functions of the brain, and the true method of investi- 
gating such phenomena, and such functions. He alone es- 
tablished all the great fundamental principles of phrenology. 
He discovered three-fourths of all the organs yet known. 
He discovered and developed the natural language of the or- 
gans. He pointed out, in a general way, the applications 
of phrenology to insanity, education and jurisprudence. 
He indicated the mode in which men, and the organs 
might be classified, and in which investigations should be 
continued. Finally, he discovered the great leading facts 
concerning cerebral structure; in developing which, those 
who followed him had merely to pursue the same course. 

In view of these things how can it be pretended that to 
Spurzheim is due equal, if not superior merit? The ques- 
tion is not whether Spurzheim had superior mental capaci- 
ty, though the magnificent cerebral development of Gall 
must decide that question in the negative, but whether 
Spurzheim achieved more than Gall. And when so ex- 
pressed, the answer must rise up in the mind of every man, 
with a feeling of surprise that the question should ever have 
been conceived. 

But I must go one step farther, and with reverence, with 
a deep feeling of responsibility, but desiring in all things, 



72 spurzheim's depreciation op gall. 

and above all things to be true to my own convictions, must 
say, that I do not consider Dr. Spurzheim as entirely blame- 
less. In his works we find none of that beautiful display 
of gratitude towards his master, which we so often meet 
with in the works of Mr. Combe and others towards him- 
self, but on the contrary, a tendency to depreciate. It had 
been asserted that Gall pretended to have discovered an organ 
of murder. Now Gall never pretended to any such discovery. 
What he did discover, and what he stated himself to have 
discovered, was a propensity to kill for food. Yet Dr* 
Spurzheim countenanced and repeated the accusation. Gall 
was accused of maintaining that there was an organ of 
theft ; now, he never maintained that theft was any thing 
else than the abuse of acquisitiveness. Yet Spurzheim 
countenanced and repeated the accusation. Again, Dr» 
Gall gives seven tests of a fundamental faculty* which 
Spurzheim imitates,t and then, without accrediting Gall, 
adds, that Gall did not determine any of the organs in con- 
formity with such tests. But once more, Spurzheim says, 
" His (Dr. Gall's) talent , and the sphere of its operations 
had their limits, and since our separation in 1813, Dr. Gall 
has neither made a new discovery, nor a step towards its im- 
provement.":}: This, is at least, an inconsiderate statement, 
for in 1813, Gall was fifty-eight years of age, two years older 
than was Dr. Spurzheim at the time of his death ; he had 
been engaged from his youth in intense cerebral action ; his 
powers had begun to decay ; he had almost fulfilled his 
destiny ; nothing remained for him to do, but that he should 
complete the presentation of his labours in due form to the 
world. Truly did he himself remark, " The foundation of 
this useful doctrine is established, and it should be as firm 
as the facts, the materials of which it is constructed. But 
I am far from believing, that the edifice is finished ! Neither 

* Gall. vol. iii. p. 134, and vol v. p. 250. t Spurz.vol. i. p. 132. 
t Spurzheim's Notes to Chenivix, note 3. p. 99. 



spurzheim's merits. 73 

t!ie life nor the fortune of one man, can be sufficient 
for this vast project."* I think it cannot be shown in the 
annals of the human race, that any man ever laboured 
more assiduously, or more successfully, than did Dr. Gall, 
or that any man ever presented to his race so rich a boon , 
and is it becoming, to damn him with faint praise, because 
he did not labour still more assiduously and successfully, 
and present a still richer boon 1 Because he did not show 
in the decline of life,the vigour of undecaying manhood 1 
True it is that Gall's talent, and the sphere of its opera- 
tions had their limits ; he was finite ; but that limit was as 
wide as man's ever was. He was one of those few immor- 
tals who for ever tower in awful majesty above the waters 
of oblivion, marking the grand eras of human history, far 
better than years, or Olympiads. 

But though I cannot for a moment consider Spurzheim as 
having equal merit with Gall, yet to him also we do owe 
much. He stood by phrenology firmly, and battled for it 
manfully, when the most fiercely assaulted; he for a long 
course of years devoted to its investigation and promulgation, 
talents and energies of a high order. He corrected some er- 
rors into which Gall had fallen, and made many observations 
tending to strengthen and confirm his discoveries. He, him- 
self, made other discoveries, both in the anatomy, and 
physiology of the brain. He discovered the organ of Con- 
scientiousness, that of Hope, of Size, of Weight, of Or- 
der, and of Time, and proved the organ of Educability 
to be compound. He was the first to apply, in detail, 
the doctrines of phrenology to the treatment of the in- 
sane, and the direction of education ; which he did in an 
admirable manner. For these things his memory will 
ever be held sacred ; and because of them, he was, on 
the death of Gall in 1828, deservedly acknowledged by uni- 
versal consent, as the head of the new philosophy. But 






1 Gall, vol. vi. p. 3. 

rr 



74 combe's merits. 

not long did he survive his great master. In 1832, just as 
America had commenced to be blessed with the outpourings 
of his vast knowledge and experience, his light was extin- 
guished. 

But Mr. Combe, who had long been second only to Spurz- 
heim, survived. He had advocated phrenology with singular 
success, and repelled its assailants with manly vigour, so 
tempered with knightly courtesy, that, while they reeled 
from the conflict, they could hardly withhold respect and 
praise from the victor. Perhaps no man has a greater 
power than he, of reducing an argument into its elements* 
and of separating whatever is sound, from whatever is fal- 
lacious. His fine analytical talent acts with the readiness 
and certainty almost, of a chymical test. The crowning 
merit of Mr. Combe, however, consists in his complete 
knowledge of the principles, details, and evidences of phre- 
nology ; his zealous and masterly application of them to 
the advancement of human civilization; and in the clear- 
ness, force and beauty, of his writings, which, while they 
satisfy the most profound judgment, and gratify the most 
refined taste, are readily comprehended by the popular 
mind. His works, therefore, are more extensively read 
than those of any other phrenologist. One of them, The 
Constitution of Man, has, I believe, a circulation un- 
paralleled in the history of philosophical works. In it he 
has well nigh solved the problem of human happiness and 
human destiny. In reading it the pulse of the philanthro- 
pist beats high with excitement, his muscles stiffen with 
energy, his countenance beams with anticipation, and his 
eye brightens with hope, as he looks through its pages at 
the panorama of coming events, and sees Justice and Benev- 
olence, surely though slowly, subjecting all things to them- 
selves ; as he sees that the golden age, which poets feigned 
to be past has yet to come ; that the course of society is not 
as from noon to night, but as from dawn to meridian day.* 

*I have before me, "An exposure &c», of Combe's Constitution of 



VIMONT, UCCELLI, ETC. 75 

On Combe then did the mantle descend at Spurzheim's 
death. Nobly and gracefully has he worn it, and long may 
the time be, before this third prophet is summoned from his 
sphere of usefulness ! 

It would be a pleasing employment to do justice to all 
who have been engaged in the promotion of phrenology, 
but my limits would not permit, even if I had ample know- 
ledge for the task. I can therefore merely say, in brief, 
that to Dr. Vimont, as before observed, are we indebted 
for the best work on comparative phrenology ; he thinks 
too, that he has discovered two organs which have not been 
before alluded to : namely, a geometrical sense, and a sen- 
timent of the beautiful in arts. Let not the lamented Uc- 
celli of Florence be forgotten ; who, for expressing his be- 
lief in phrenology, lost his chair in the University of that 
city, was persecuted with blind malignity ; to whose re- 
mains were denied the honours which his students wished 
to pay, and of whom all biographical accounts were pro- 
hibited. To Sir George Mc. Kenzie, Mr. Cox, Mr. Simp- 
son, Mr. Watson, Mr. Scott and other collaborators of Mr. 
Combe, much credit is due, and also to Dr. Hoppe of Co- 
Man; being an antidote to the poison of that publication, by Wm. Gil- 
lispie. Edinburgh, 1837." I advise those who can borrow this work, 
to do so, and read what has been called "an efficient antidote" (see 
Methodist Magazine,) to Mr. Combe's work, by a gentleman "more 
than a match for Mr. Combe," (see Christian Advocate,) by an antag- 
onist, in short, "whom it will be difficult if not impossible to vanquish." 
(See Edinburgh Evening Post.) The chief argument of Mr. Gillispie, 
may be thus stated: "If Mr. Combe be right, then somebody else is 
wrong; therefore, Mr. Combe is wrong." I leave the author to throw 
it into the syllogistic form. But I must really give him credit for the 
intimate acquaintance he manifests with Hudibras and Don Quixolte, 
the Dictionary of Quotations, and the flowers of twaddle and vitupera- 
tion. He also defends the Devil with much zeal, but for what reason I 
am at a loss to determine, seeing that Mr. Combe no where attempts to 
depreciate the merits, or interfere with the prescriptive rights of that 
powerful potentate. 



76 DR. ELLIOTSON. 

penhagen, an able and indefatigable advocate of the phre- 
nological doctrines. 

To Dr. Elliotson are we indebted for his early, zealous, 
and unremitting advocacy of phrenology in England. He 
has the merit, too, I believe of being the first writer in the 
English language who has attempted to do full justice to 
the comparative merits of Gall. Whilst preparing the mat- 
ter which constitutes this sketch, I received from a friend 
the doctor's notes to the fifth edition of Blumenbach, which 
have enabled me to make my own more complete. It was 
pleasing to find the claims of Gall so ably maintained, but 
painful to witness the doctor, in the ardour of his zeal for 
Gall's fame, seem anxious to destroy that of Spurzheim, by 
presenting all that he thought exceptionable in his works 
and character, and by keeping out of view nearly all that 
was good and great. 

Dr. Elliotson, has, however, been assailed for stating 
what is indubitably true, regarding Spurzheim's altering 
the situation of organs on the bust. The alterations which 
he mentions, and some others, I pointed out three years 
a^o to the New York Phrenological Society, and to my 
friends many times since. And also, in November last, to 
a distinguished phrenologist, who wrote to Mr. Capen, the 
biographer of Spurzheim, to ascertain whether the chart 
published in the last edition of Spurzheim's Phrenology, 
and the bust purporting to be his, and sold by Marsh, Capen 
& Lyon, were authorized by Spurzheim. The answer was 
that they were made " according to his directions before 
his sickness." Believing that the cause of truth cannot be 
injured by rectifying error, any more than that metal can be 
depreciated by refining away its dross, in December I ex- 
posed these discrepancies, in print, and showed that Spur- 
zheim was at striking and irreconcilable variance, not 
only with other phrenologists, but with his former self, and 
with nature. The London Phrenological Journal notices 
the article, and approves of the conclusions drawn from its 



DR. ELLIOTSON. 77 

facts and statements ; namely, that Dr. Spurzheim's latest 
bust was probably marked according to some fancied pro- 
priety, and that the Edinburgh bust should be used in pre- 
ference. * 

Again, Dr. Elliotson says, " To prove Dr. Spurzheim's 
speculative spirit, I may mention, that, instead of giving 
the origin of any of his asserted discoveries, as Gall did, 
and adding a host of examples, he tells us, in regard to the 
organ of inhabitiveness only, that a gentleman much at- 
tached to his house, had a particular spot of his head 
much hotter than any other ; and, in regard to the organs 
of hope, «fec, he neither tells us how he discovered them, 
nor adduces a single proof." On this, Mr. H. Haley Holm, 
in the London Medical Gazette, thus remarks, " Does Dr. 
Elliotson mean to insinuate that Spurzheim was not justi- 
fied in modifying his opinions, as experience gave him fur- 
ther opportunities of perfecting them 1" I confess that I 
cannot perceive the appositeness of this question. Dr. 
Elliotson has been insinuating no such absurdity. What 
he complains of, and justly, may be best seen after quoting 
another and succeeding passage from Mr. Holm : " I will 
direct immediate attention to the following quotation from 
it, (Spurzheim's Phrenology,) in order to show Spurz- 
heim's philosophical turn of mind, as well as his candour : 
1 In examining the fundamental powers of the mind and 
their organs,' says he, ' I shall always follow the same pro- 
cedure. I shall first consider the individual actions, then 
give the history of the discovery of the organ,' &c." Now 
it is obvious that Dr. Spurzheim has not fulfilled his own 
conditions, with respect to the organs mentioned by Elliot- 
son ; he has not given " the history of the discovery of the 
organs." And I agree with Dr. Elliotson that this is an 
important omission. To show the necessity and value of 
such details, it may be mentioned that the growth of the 
brain in adult age, in particular directions, from special 
excitement, is justly considered as a most interesting ques- 

7* 



78 PHRENOLOGICAL SOCIETIES AND JOURNALS. 

tion. We want facts on this subject, well authenticated 
facts. Now Spurzheim says, " It is a remarkable fact, that 
the forehead increases very early, and continues, when ex- 
ercised, to grow very late in life. I had positive observations 
that, after the age of thirty-six and forty years, the fore- 
head has increased an inch in size."* Had he shown how, 
and when, and on whom, his observations had been made — 
had he, especially,produced the casts and measurements of 
the heads to which he refers, before and after such remark- 
able increase in size, he would have done muoh towards 
settling this question. As it is, however, he leaves the mat- 
ter just where he found it ; for, with all respect for the 
opinions of others, I must be allowed to express my own, 
that the bare assertion of any man is not the sort of evi- 
dence, from which to draw a philosophical conclusion. 

" To the everlasting honour of Edinburgh,'* to use Dr. 
Elliotson's words, " not only was the first Phrenologi- 
cal Society established there, but the first Phrenological 
Journal." There is also a journal published at Paris, and 
another at Copenhagen. The present Phrenological So- 
ciety of London was established, I believe, in 1824, under 
the auspices of Dr. Elliotson. That of Paris, which num- 
bers among its members some of the most celebrated medical 
men of France, was established in 1831, and holds its an- 
nual meetings on the22d of August, the death-day of Gall. 
In 1836 the number of phrenological societies in Great 
Britain alone, was twenty -nine. 

The History of Phrenology in the United States is 
readily told. In 1822, Dr. John Bell republished at Phila- 
delphia, with a short preliminary discourse, Mr. Combe's 
Essays on Phrenology. This appears to have been the first 
publication in favour of the science, issued in the United 
States. A few years afterwards, Dr. B. R. Coates of Phil- 
adelphia, published a strong article in reply to Professor 

* Spurzheira's Phrenology, vol. i. 307. 



PintENOLOGY IN THE UNITED STATES. 79 

Warren, of Boston, who had attacked phrenology. In 
18*23, Professor Dr. John D. Wells, of Bowdoin College, 
Brunswick, state of Maine, on his return from Europe, 
where he had heard phrenology taught, by Gall himself, 
commenced an annual exposition and recommendation of 
its doctrines, to his class, which he continued, 1 believe, 
as long as he remained in the college. 

The lamented Godman was an advocate of phrenology. 
In 1S29 he spoke of" the renowned, the indefatigable, the 
undefeated Gall."* And, in his edition of Bell's Anatomy, 
he contraverts Bell's dicta against the science, and remarks, 
" This is the foundation upon which the doctrines of Gall 
and Spurzheim rest, — purely upon observation, — and this 
is the reason why these doctrines have so triumphantly out- 
lived all the misrepresentation and violence of opposition. "f 

On the 4th of August, 1832, Dr. Spurzheim landed in 
the United States; and commenced lecturing at Boston, on 
the 17th of September, but was interred, alas! just two 
months afterwards. On the 31st of December, 1832, the 
birthday of Spurzheim, the Boston Phrenological Society 
was established, and in three months numbered ninety mem- 
bers. Several similar societies are now organized in other 
cities of the United States. In October, 1833, a quarterly 
journal, The Annals of Phrenology, was commenced in 
Boston, and continued two years. In October, 1838, a 
monthly periodical, The American Phrenological Journal 
and Miscellany, was commenced at Philadelphia. 

But the American,who, above all others, has distinguish- 
ed himself by his zeal and labours in favour of phrenology, 
is Dr. Charles Caldwell. On his return from Europe, 
where he had heard Dr. Gall, he prepared, and in 1821 — 2 
delivered a brief course of lectures on the science, to his 
class in the medical department of Transylvania College. 
This was the first course ever delivered in the United States. 

* Godman's Addresses. Philadelphia, p. 101. 

t Bell's Anatomy New York, 1827, vol. i. p. 165. 



80 DR. CALDWELL. 

The Doctor has repeated it to his successive classes, in that 
college, and the college of Louisville, every winter since 
that time. In the spring of 1822, he delivered a popular 
course to the citizens of Lexington. In 1823, he lectured 
at Louisville. In 1824, at Nashville. In 1825, at Balti- 
more and at Washington, which led to the formation of a 
phrenological society at each of those places. In 1826, he 
lectured again at Washington. In 1828, at Boston. In 
1835, again at Nashville. In 1836, at Natchez. In 1837, 
at Philadelphia; and in 1838, at New-York. 

The phrenological publications of Professor Caldwell 
are very numerous. He published* in 1824, by invitation 
of his class, a summary of his course of lectures previously 
delivered to them. In 1826, in the Edinburgh Phrenolo- 
gical Journal, two papers on the Phrenology of the North 
American Indians. In IS29, a paper entitled, New Views 
of Penitentiary Discipline and Moral Reform. [See Ed. 
Phren. Jour.] In 1831, An Essay on Temperaments. In 
1832, An Essay on Mental Derangement. [See Transyl- 
vania Medical Journal.] And another entitled, Thoughts 
on True Epicurism. [See New England Magazine.] And 
an address on Intemperance, in which he gave the phren- 
ology of that vice. In 1833, three essays : 1. On Moral 
Medicine. 2. On the true mode of improving the condi- 
tion of Man. 3. On the Study of the Greek and Latin 
Languages. In 1834, An Essay on Physical Education, 
and two articles, entitled, Phrenology Yindicated ; one pub- 
lished in the Boston Annals, and the other in the New Eng- 
land Magazine. In 1835, in the Boston Annals, a reply to 
Lord Brougham's attack. At Nashville, an Address on the 
Spirit of Improvement ; and at Lexington, another on the 
Phrenology of Gambling. In 1838, a small volume, en- 
titled, Phrenology Vindicated and Antiphrenology Unmask- 
ed. In 1839, a Letter to the Editor of the American 
Phrenological Journal. It is especially worthy of remem- 
brance, that but few of the foregoing publications were 



PRESENT CONDITION OF PHRENOLOGY. 81 

printed for sale, the greater part were gratuitously distribu- 
ted, principally throughout the Valley of the Mississippi. 
Thus numerous, important, and unremitting have been 
the labours of Charles Caldwell, a name which must ever 
ociated with the introduction of Phrenology into the 
New World. 

My intention was to treat somewhat at large on the pres- 
ent condition of Phrenology, but I have already passed the 
limits, and must hasten on, contenting myself with express- 
ing the following view ; namely, that a vague general im- 
pression exists that there may be something in phrenology 
after all. And among a great number a belief that there 
really is something in it. That a much smaller number, 
but still a formidable phalanx, believe in it, and advocate 
its doctrines. And a number comparatively small, study 
it with assiduity, as the science of their affections, and 
have a deep and abiding conviction of its vast importance. 
But in the Universities, Colleges, and Seminaries of learn- 
ing, it has hardly been able to set its foot. And by the 
generality of professors, ministers, scientific and religious 
writers, it is proscribed and denounced, or at best treated 
with distrust and lukewarmness. 

Among the signs of the times however, I would mention 
one especially indicative of the gradual advancement of 
phrenology in popular estimation. The periodical press 
wields great power, for good, or for evil. Pity, that it is not 
always employed in the cause of truth and virtue ! There 
are noble exceptions, indeed, but it is undeniable that many 
editors forget the dignity and responsibility of their office, 
pander to vile tastes, and succumb to paltry and bigoted 
prejudices. Their duty it is to enlighten public opinion, 
but instead, they watch it with eagle eyes, to note its indi- 
cations of change, that by quickly following they may seem 
to lead. With this class of editors, phrenology was con- 
sidered for years as a capital joke, the very name seemed 
a fountain of gibes and jeers. Their phrenology, however, 



82 PRESENT CONDITION OF PHRENOLOGY. 

was not ours, but a windmill hero of their own ; a thing of 
shreds and patches, of mere bones and bumps ; a conglome- 
ration of deformities, incongruities and puerilities, which 
they could set up, and hurl down, at pleasure, for the edi- 
fication and amusement of their wondering readers. These 
editors, in general, have now ceased such Don Quixotisms, 
and betaken themselves to other amusement. Nay, many 
of them begin to touch their hats to the real presence, and 
acknowledge that there was a little mistake in the matter, 
or they would not, upon their honour they wotrkfc not, have 
misrepresented so comely and respectable a personage. 
This is cheering; not because of any intrinsic value which 
their opinions possess, for the observations they make ge- 
nerally betray their ignorance of the subject, but because 
such opinions are significant of a favourable state of the 
popular mind. They are to public feeling, what the ba- 
rometer is to the atmosphere, they show the amount of 
pressure from without. 

To consider the authority of a mere mathematician on 
the Malthusian doctrines, or that of a mere anatomist on the 
immortality of man, as decisive of the truth or falsehood of 
those questions, would be absurd enough. But the testi- 
monials of men of reputed accuracy of observation and 
soundness of judgment, in favour of doctrines the evidences 
of which they state themselves carefully to have examined, 
and, especially, when their decision subjects them to oppro- 
brium, ought to have weight enough to secure for such doc- 
trines, a respectful and patient investigation. To furnish 
such testimonials in great numbers, would be incompatible 
with my plan and limits ; yet, I here present a few, in answer 
to the name-worshippers who are continually asking, with 
a contemptuous tone, Who believes in phrenology ? These 
I shall extract from a volume of " Testimonials in behalf of 
George Combe, as a candidate for the chair of Logic in the 
University of Edinburgh." In doing which, I shall omit 
all that relates to Mr. Combe himself. 



TESTIMONIALS. 83 

The following testimonials, among others, certify, that 
Phrenology, viewed as the abstract science of mind, is su- 
perior to any sy stein of Mental Philosophy which has pre- 
ceded it: — 

From Richard Whatdy, D. D. Lord ArcMishop of Dublin. 

" I am convinced, that even if all connection of the brain with the 
mind were regarded not merely as doubtful, but as a perfect chimera, 
still the treatises of many phrenological writers would be of great value, 
from their employing a metaphysical nomenclature, far more logical, ac- 
curate, and convenient, than Locke, Stewart, and other writers of their 
school. 

" That the religious and moral objections against the phrenological 
theory are utterly futile, I have from the first been fully convinced." p. 5. 

From Sir G. S. Mackenzie, Bart. F. R. S. L., fyc. 

" During the last twenty years, I have lent my humble aid in resisting 
a torrent of ridicule and abuse, and have lived to see the true philoso- 
phy of man (phrenology) establishing itself wherever talent is found 
capable of estimating its immense value." — p. 8. 

From Dr. Robert Macnish, author of "The Philosophy of Sleep "$$c. 

" The old system of metaphysics explained nothing satisfactorily ; and 
like all persons who attempted to arrive at definite results by its assist- 
ance, since commencing the study of phrenology, a new light has dawn- 
ed upon me, and various phenomena which were before perfectly inex- 
plicable upon any known theory, are now of easy solution." — p. 15. 

From Dr. Wm. Gregory, F. R. S. E., formerly President of the Royal 
Medical Society. 

u I am firmly convinced of the truth of phrenology, and of its vast 
importance, as constituting the only satisfactory and consistent system 
of mental philosophy which the world has yet seen." — p. 22. 

From the Honourable D. G. Hallyburton, M. P. 
" Those who have dispassionately investigated the subject agree ai- 



84 TESTIMONIALS. 3 

most to a man, in maintaining, that phrenology rests upon evidence that 
is irrefragable ; and that the time is not far off, when all philosophy of 
mind, which shall not rest upon it as a basis, will be put aside as very 
incomplete." — p. 50. 

From Charles Maclaren, Esq., Editor of that distinguished newspaper, 
The Scotsman. 

" Even though I had no faith in organology, I should still hold 
that phrenology possesses the following advantages : 1st. That it ex- 
hibits a more scientific and consistent classification of the human facul- 
ties than any other system of philosophy. 2d. That is gives a more 
lucid and satisfactory explanation of those varieties of national and in* 
dividual character which we find in the world. 3d. That it has a more 
immediate and practical bearing on human conduct and the business of 
life, on morals, education, and legislation." — p. 57. 

From Robert Chambers, Esq,, one of the conductors of Chambers' Edin- 
burgh Journal 

" I consider the scheme of mind, which results from phrenology, as 
not only superior to any hitherto laid before the world, but the only rea- 
sonably complete account of human nature which we possess, and the 
only one which can serve as a basis for any system of instructions. "-p. 55. 

From the Honourable Judge Crampton. 

" I am persuaded that phrenology is amongst the most important of 
the acquisitions made to the stock of modern knowledge, and that 
upon it must be based every sound system of mental philosophy." 

The following testimonials certify that phrenology contains 
a true exposition of the physiology of the brain. 

From Dr. Wm. Weir, Lecturer on the practice of medicine, and one of 
the Editors of the Glasgow Medical Journal. 

"Being myself convinced, after many years study of the subject, and 
numerous observations, that phrenology is the true philosophy of mind, 
I have taught it, in my lectures delivered to medical students, as the cor 
rect physiology of the brain. And I consider it impossible to give a 



TESTIMONIALS. 85 

proper view of the physiology of the brain, on any other but phrenolo- 
gical principles." — p. 37. 

From Dr. John Mackintosh, Lecturer on the Principles of Pathology, and 
Practice of Physic. 

11 The more closely I study nature, in health and disease, the more 
firm are my convictions of the soundness of phrenological doctrines." 

From Dr. James Johnson, Physician-extraordinary to the King, Editor of 
the Medico- Chirurgical Review, 8fc. 8?c. 

u I have long been convinced that the science of mind can only be 
understood and taught, properly, by those who have deeply studied the 
structure and functions of its material instrument, the brain. I am con- 
vinced, that in this world, mind can be manifested only through the 
medium of matter." — " Without subscribing to all the details of phren- 
ology, I believe its fundamental principles to be based on truth." 

The following testimonials certify to the utility of applying 
phrenology in discriminating the varieties of insanity. 

From Sir W. C. Ellis, M. D. Physician to the Lunatic Asylum of the 
county of Middlesex. 

"I candidly own, that until I became acquainted with phrenology, I 
had no solid basis, upon which I could ground any treatment, for the 
cure of the disease of insanity, which had long had a peculiar claim 
upon my attention." 

From Dr. James Scott, LI. B. Surgeon and Medical Superintendent of 
the Royal Naval Lunatic Asylum. 

" As I have been for nearly ten years the medical attendant of the 
Lunatic Asylum in this great Hospital, my opportunities, at least, of 
observing, have been great indeed; and a daily intercourse with the 
unfortunate individuals entrusted to my care and management, has 
firmly, because experimentally, convinced me that mental disorder, and 
moral delinquency, can be rationally combated only bv the application 
of phrenology." 

8 



86 TESTIMONIALS, 

The following testimonials prove the bearing of phrenology 
on the classification and treatment of criminals. 

In April 1836, Mr. Combe visited Glasgow jail, and examined phren- 
ologically some of the criminals. G. Salmond, Esq., Procurator-fiscal 
of Lanarkshire, drew up an account of the striking accuracy of Mr. 
Combe's diagnosis, which is certified to, by W. Moir, Esq., Sheriff- 
substitute of Lanarkshire, and Mr. D. M' Coll, Governor of Glasgow 
jail. Mr. Salmond remarks, in conclusion: — 

" The accuracy of your conclusions has deeply impressed me with 
the benefit which would accrue to society from the application of such 
investigations towards the better classification of criminals before and 
after trial, to the selection and treatment of convicts, and even to the 
more certain identification of such criminals as might effect their escape 
from justice or confinement." 

From Dr. E. Otto, Professor of Materia Medica and Forensic Medicine 
in the University of Copenhagen, Editor of the Danish Journal, *' Bi~ 
bliothikfor Lieper," fyc. 8?c. 

" 1 consider it quite possible to distinguish men of strong animal pro- 
pensities, who, when left uncontrolled by authority, or when excited by 
intoxication, would be dangerous to society, from men of mild dispo- 
sitions, by examining their heads during life. I have practically applied 
this method of distinguishing the natural dispositions of men, and found 
it uniformly successful." 

The following testimonials apply to the utility of phren- 
ology in its application to the purposes of education : 

From Alexander J. D. Dorsey, Esq., Master of the English department 
in the High School of Glasgow. 

" It is my decided opinion, that he who teaches and trains upon 
phrenological principles, will experience a constantly increasing attach- 
ment to his profession, will invariably secure the affectionate esteem of 
his pupils, and will, as a necessary consequence, succeed in giving them 
a thorough education, moral, intellectual and physical. I write this 
Hot in a theorising spirit, but from several years' extensive experience. 

"In History, the use of phrenology is truly valuable. In fact, till I 



BTIMONIALS. ^7 

knew something of this beautiful system of mental philosophy, I n 
taught history properly, or, I may add, any thing else." — p. 35 

From Jl'. Hunter, Esq., A. N., late Professor of Logic, Sfc, in the Ander- 
sonian University, Glasgow. 

" I am conviuced that phrenology is the true science of the mind. 
Every other system is defective in enumerating, classifying, and tracing 
the relations of the faculties. 

" I consider this science indispensably necessary in teaching any 
branch of education properly. And it is signally effective in exciting 
and directing the faculties of the mind without having recourse to cor- 
poral punishment, or even a peevish or resentful expression." — p. 51. 

From some of the most distinguished of the Parisian physicians, including 
Broussais, Fassati, Bouillaud, Sanson, Cloquet, Vimont, and Voissin. 

u Phrenology being in their opinion the most certain and complete 
science of the faculties of man, they consider that a good system of 
Logic cannot be more firmly based than upon the profound study of that 
science." 

Use of Phrenology to Artists. 

From George Rennie, Esq., Sculptor. 

i( As an artist, I have at all times found phrenology advantageous in 
the practice of my art, and that expression in almost every case coin- 
cided exactly with what was indicated by the cerebral development." 

If some one, who has been accustomed to scoff at phren- 
ology, should have accompanied me hitherto, I would res- 
pectfully, but candidly, say to him, at parting: Ifphreno- 
be true, then, by continuing to oppose it, you will 
merely injure and dishonour yourself. You may laugh, but 
laughter is not wit ; you may scoff, but scoffing is not argu- 
ment ; you may shut your eyes, but it will not, therefore, be 
dark ; you may raise clouds of dust, but you will merely 
obstruct your own vision, not extinguish the radiance of 
truth. Be candid and generous therefore, and till you have 



88 CONCLUSION. 

examined the subject in an adequate manner, acknowledge, 
that on what you have not properly investigated, you have 
no right to decide. 

With the phrenologist, I would part in congratulation 
for what has been achieved, and in bright anticipations of 
future advancement. Not that very rapid progress need be 
hoped for. The students of the old philosophy, cannot be 
expected, in any great numbers, to abandon their painfully 
acquired notions, and go again to school. The aged are I 
naturally conservative, and cling to old opinions and insti- 
tutions, with amiable tenacity. Truth, however, is a reve- 
lation from the divinity of Nature, and never returns void 
of effect. But the truths of phrenology have to work their 
way through such mountainous obstacles; they have so 
many erroneous things to rectify, and so many alloyed 
things to purify, that the expectation of rapid advancement 
would indicate an imperfect knowledge of the true nature 
of our science. 

I close this sketch, by putting on record my entire con- 
viction, that when phrenology shall be generally accredited, 
it will be considered as the most interesting and surprising 
event in the history of human civilization, that the truth of 
its fundamental facts, should have been so long and so 
stoutly denied. To appreciate the discoveries of Galileo, the 
use of the telescope was necessary ; to repeat the experi- 
ments of Harvey, much labour was requisite; to fully com- 
prehend those of Newton, profound mathematical know- 
ledge was often essential ; but to recognize the facts on 
which the phrenological doctrines are based, needs no nicely 
adjusted optical apparatus, they are obvious to the naked 
eye ; no laborious and intricate experiments, they present 
themselves in the head of every human being ; no pro- 
found and peculiar acquirements, but merely the power 
of distinguishing differences in the dispositions and talents 
of men, and differences in the form and size of the human 
cranium and of its various regions. 



CONCLUSION. 89 

Note. — The first edition of this work said too little on the labours 
of Dr. Andrew Combe, one of the ablest and most influential of phre- 
nologists. He was one of the founders of the first phrenological 
society, one of the establishes of the first phrenological journal, and 
one of the most valuable of its contributors. He has written the most phi- 
losophical treatise on insanity which yet exists ; and his works on " The 
Principles of Physiology," " The Physiology of Digestion," and " The 
management of Infancy," are among the most useful and admired 
writings of the day. 

In the works of Dr. Combe, accuracy of observation, great sagacity, 
and acute thought, are clothed in diction remarkable for its clearness 
and simplicity ; and the spirit which pervades them is so pure and be- 
nevolent, that the author wins his way to confidence and esteem with 
a facility almost peculiar. The controversial papers which he has writ- 
ten, evince great astuteness and dialectical skill. There is in them 
nothing of the impetuous, the trenchant, or the terrible ; but around 
their searching analysis and scathing logic, refined wit and pleasant 
sarcasm continually play. 



LECTURES ON 

PHRENOLOGY AND ITS APPLICATIONS. 

BY GEORGE COMBE, ESQ 



LECTURE I. 

When a young man, I paid much attention to the pre- 
vailing theories of mental philosophy, frequently meeting a 
number of friends for the purpose of discussing the opinions 
of various metaphysical authors, hoping to obtain some 
practical views of human nature which would be servicea- 
ble in my intercourse with society, and in the pursuit of 
my professional avocations. But all my study proved fruit- 
less of beneficial results, and I ceased to study the works 
of the metaphysicians. Hoping to obtain some more satis- 
factory notions of the mental functions from the physiolo- 
gists, I attended the lectures of Dr. Barclay. All parts of 
the body were beautifully described, and their uses clearly 
explained, till he came to the brain ; then was all dark and 
confused. He took great pains in dissecting that most im- 
portant organ, but by a wrong method ; he cut it up into 
slices like a ham, confessing his ignorance of its functions 
and intimate structure. The physiologists satisfied me no 
better than the metaphysicians. 

From the 49th No. of the Edinburgh Review I received 
nay first information concerning the doctrines of Phrenology. 



92 RECEPTION OP IMPORTANT DISCOVERIES. 

Led away by the boldness of that piece of criticism, I re- ! 
garded its doctrines as absurd, and its founders as charla 
tans. For twelve months ensuing I paid no attention to 
the subject ; indeed, such was the unfavourable impression 
made on my mind by the Review, that when Dr. Spurz- 
heim came to Edinburgh, I neglected to attend his first 
course of lectures, and should probably not have attended 
him at all, but for a fortunate circumstance. Coming out 
of the supreme court one day, my friend Mr. Brownlee in- 
vited me to attend a dissection of a brain, to be performed 
in his house by Dr. Spurzheim. I availed myself of this 
opportunity of comparing the method of Gall and Spurz- 
heim, with that which I had seen practised by Dr. Barclay. 
Dr. Spurzheim did not slice, but began at the medulla ob- 
longata, and gradually unfolded the brain by following its 
structure. In ten minutes he completely refuted the re- 
viewer's assertions, and finally demonstrated his own ana- 
tomical views. 

I immediately commenced to attend the second course I 
of lectures of Dr. Spurzheim ; and, independently of his 
physiological views, I found the explanation he gave of 
mental manifestations to be greatly superior to any with 
which I was acquainted. This was a great point gained, 
and I determined to pursue the study by an appeal to nature. 
Accordingly I purchased books, and sent to London for a 
large quantity of casts. They arrived in three huge punch- 
eons ; and when taken out, they covered nearly the whole 
floor of my drawing room. But when I saw them there, 
seemingly all alike, my heart sank within me, and I would 
gladly have buried them in the ground to get rid of 
them. However, my friends heard of my collection, and I 
soon had a great many to visit me — some to examine, and 
some to quiz. When I began seriously to examine them, 
I soon found that heads apparently alike were in reality 
very dissimilar. This encouraged me. I pursued my ex- 
aminations, both of casts and of the heads of living persons, 






RECEPTION OF IMPORTANT DISCOVERIES. 93 

and gradually became firmly convinced of the truth of the 
new science. The meetings at my house, to hear my ex- 
planations, became more and more numerous, and in 1822 
I was prevailed on to give public lectures. Thus, without 
the slightest intention on my part, I became a lecturer on 
phrenology about five years after first attending to the sub- 
ject. 

Of this narrative I wish to make two applications. 1. I 
desire to show you that, in taking up the phrenological 
doctrines, I was not led away by enthusiasm. 2. I wish to 
impress on your minds, that it is not by attending a course 
of lectures that you can become fully acquainted with phre- 
nology. I deem it impossible to make you so acquaint- 
ed in a hundred lectures. I come here, not to wage war 
upon your opinions, but to invite your attention to an im- 
portant subject; not to convince you of the truth of all the 
details of phrenology, but to show you how to study and 
observe for yourselves. I admire not the mental character 
of those who have too great facility of belief ; and Phreno- 
logy asks nothing but fair play, and candid, scrutinizing in- 
vestigation. 

Phrenology means the philosophy of the human mind, as 
manifested through the medium of the brain. This philo- 
sophy, as you know, has been opposed with great violence ; 
and the opposition has not yet ceased. In being so oppos- 
Bd, however, it merely shares the fate of all new truths. 
1 In every society," says Professor Playfair, " there are 
some who think themselves interested to maintain things 
n the condition wherein they have found them. * •* * Even 
n matters purely intellectual, and in which the abstract 
ruths of arithmetic and geometry seem alone concerned, 
he prejudices, the selfishness, and the vanity of those who 
pursue them, not unfrequently combine to resist improve- 
nent, and often engage no inconsiderable degree of talent 
n drawing back instead of pushing forward the machine 
>f science. The introduction of methods entirely new 



94 RECEPTION OF IMPORTANT DISCOVERIES. 

must often change the relative place of men engaged in 
scientific pursuits, and must oblige many, after descending 
from the stations they formerly occupied, to take a lower I 
position in the scale of intellectual improvement. The en- 
mity of such men, if they be not animated by a spirit of 
real candour and the love of truth, is likely to be directed { 
against methods by which their vanity is mortified, and i 
their importance lessened." Dissertation, part II. p. 27. 

It is well known that Harvey was treated with great con- b 
tumely, and lost much of his practice, on account of his mo- ; i 
mentous discovery of the circulation of the blood.* Pro- j It 
fessor Playfair, speaking of Newton's discovery of the com- e 
position of light, says : " Though the discovery had every i 
thing to recommend it which can arise from what is great, ' 
new and singular ; though it was not a theory or system i « 
of opinions, but the generalization of facts made known by 
experiments ; and though it was brought forward in a most - cs 
simple and unpretending form, a host of enemies appear- c 
ed, each eager to obtain the unfortunate preeminence of 
being the first to attack conclusions which the unanimous 
voice of posterity was to confirm."! 

But the most striking instance, perhaps, of reckless and 
unprincipled opposition to newly discovered facts, was the 
opposition made to Galileo's discovery of the satellites of 
Jupiter. This discovery was made simply from Galileo's 
having invented a telescope, by which bodies invisible to 
the naked eye were brought into view. One who violently 
opposed him he invited to look through the telescope, and 
see for himself. " No," said his adversary ; " should I 
look through the telescope, I might perhaps see them ; and 
then I could no longer deny their existence." This well 



* Long after the labours of Harvey, when M. Dodart defended, at 
Paris, a thesis on the circulation of the blood, the old doctors decided, 
" that the young candidate managed his subject very well, considering the 
strangeness of the paradox. 7 ' 

\ Supplement to the Encyclopedia Britannica, part ii. p. 56. 






THE BRAIN THE ORGAN OP MIND. 95 

illustrates the course pursued by the opponents of phreno- 
logy. The truths of our science are sufficiently obvious; 
but many fiercely vituperate, yet refuse to look through the 
telescope. 

Formerly phrenology was greatly opposed by the reli- 
gious portion of the community. In this country I have 
not witnessed much of this. Wherever the religious man 
places himself in opposition to natural truth, it is deeply to 
be regretted. All truth is from the same eternal source, 
whether it be the truth of Philosophy or the truth of Reve- 
lation. It is impossible to destroy a fact — it remains for 
ever ; and in opposing it, religious men will always be 
ultimately found in the wrong. That is, in God's name 
they will be found to have opposed God's truth, and to have 
set variance between His word and works. 

I recollect that, in my youth, I was taught to repeat the 
catechism of Dr. Watts,in which is this question — " How 
do you know you have a soul I*' — which is thus answered 
— " Because there is something in me that thinks and feels, 
which the body cannot do." This answer is founded on 
an illusion. It may satisfy a child, but it is palpably erro- 
neous in the eyes of the physiologist. It rests simply on the 
circumstance that we are not conscious of the operations of 
the brain ; yet numerous facts with which we become ac- 
quainted by means of observation prove that, without its 
agency, we can neither think nor feel — that it is in short 
the organ of mind. In support of this proposition I may 
remark, 

1. If the brain be not the organ of mind, its uses are un- 
known. 

2. It is better protected and better supplied with blood 
than any other part of the body. 

3. The nerves of the senses are all connected with the 
brain : it is the recipient of all their transmissions. 

4. The nerves of motion and the nerves of sensation aro 
all connected, through the medium of the spinal marrow, 



96 THE BRAIN THE ORGAN OP MIND. 

with the brain : it is the fountain of impulse and the reser- 
voir of sensation. 

5. Certain substances, as opium or ardent spirits, disturb 
mental manifestations by operating on the brain. 

6. Fainting is a temporary loss of consciousness, occa 
sioned by recession of blood from the brain. 

But we have still more direct evidence. Richerand at- 
tended a woman whose brain had been laid bare. One 
day he pressed upon it a little more forcibly than usual, 
and the patient became silent and unconscious in the midst 
of a sentence. On removing his hand, consciousness im 
mediately returned. As no pain was felt, he repeated the 
experiment several times, and always with the same result.* 
Similar cases are related by many other writers. Sir Ast- 
ley Cooper relates one, of a seaman who had his skull 
fractured and brain compressed by a fall. For thirteen 
months he remained totally unconscious. On Mr. Ciine 
raising the skull, consciousness immediately returned. The 
last thing the man recollected was a sea fight in the Medi- 
terranean, thirteen months before ,t in which he had receiv- 
ed the injury. 

But it may be asked how pressure on one part suspends 
all mental manifestations, if, as phrenologists say, the 
brain consists of numerous organs ? Let it be recollected 
that the brain is composed of a pulpy mass, having nume- 
rous blood vessels ramifying in its substance, and is inclos- 
ed in membranous sacs, the pia mater and the dura mater. 
It may be likened to an India rubber bag filled with fluid. 
Now it is a law of hydrostatics, that pressure made on one 
part of a fluid affects all parts alike ; consequently, when 

* Nouveauz Elemens de Physiologie, 7th cd. ii. 195 — 6. 

t Lectures of Sir As (ley Cooper on Surgery, p. 159. Gall mentions a 
person who received a wound which penetrated to the corpus callosum, 
and whenever pus accumulated, he lost the use of the eye of the oppo 
mte side ; and this blindness disappeared the moment the pus was difl- 
aharged. Gall. ii. 56. 



THE BRAIN A CONGERIES OP ORGANS. 97 

pressure is made on one part of the brain, all arc equally 
affected. If the membranes be cut, so as to permit effu- 
sion of blood, total unconsciousness does not take place 
from a partial injury. 

" But," say objectors, " how is it that the brain does not 
manifest structural derangement after death, when the in- 
dividual has been afflicted with insanity!" This question 
%vas more confidently asked some years ago than now : 
more accurate investigations have shown that, in the great 
majority of cases, such derangement is demonstrable ; and 
if it be not always the case, this is not more remarkable 
than what takes place in other parts, where there may be 
derangement or destruction of function, without the anat- 
omist being able to discover organic change. Thus some 
poisons destroy life, without any structural alteration being 
visible in any part of the body. 

Again, to show that the mind is independent of the body, 
it is said that the mind often fully manifests its faculties to 
the last moment of life, even in lingering disease. This is 
not true. It is important to distinguish l^cween functional 
and organic derangement and simple weakness. Suppose 
I cut the muscles of my arm across, there would be organic 
derangement, completely incapacitating me from using my 
limb. Suppose i should bandage my arm tightly and keep 
it motionless ibr six months, at the end of that time I should 
be able to move it in the usual manner, but not with the 
usual force ; the general structure would remain the same, 
but the size and power would be greatly diminished. So 
when the brain is but secondarily affected, the mode of 
manifestation may remain unchanged to the end of some 
fatal malady, but the energy will be greatly lessened. Thus, 
in disease of the lungs, the brain merely suffers, like other 
parts, sympathetically, and from badly oxygenated blood. 
At the commencement of the disease, the mind may act with 
its usual vigour. During the second month the patient 
thinks but little on subjects requiring mental energy; 

9 



98 THE BRAIN A CONGERIES OF ORGANS. 

during the third month he chooses novels or light reading ; 
during the fourth month he prefers newspaper paragraphs, 
as requiring little continuous attention ; and afterwards he 
ceases to read altogether, and does little more than answer 
simple questions ; yet, because he answers these questions 
correctly, his mental manifestations are said to be unim- 
paired. No mistake can be greater. 

Again, when a part is actively exercised, blood rushes to 
it with rapidity ; and if the brain be the organ of mind, 
there should be to it a rush of blood during mental action ; 
and this is found to be the fact, as many writers testify. 
Dr. Pierqum observed a patient in one of the hospitals of 
Montpelier, part of whose skull had been removed. In 
dreamless sleep the brain lay motionless within the cra- 
nium ; when she was disturbed by dreams, it was agitated 
and protruded ; in dreams reported by herself to be vivid, 
it was more protruded, and still more so when she was 
awake and engaged in active thought, or sprightly conver- 
sation. 

Every act of the will, every flight of the imagination, 
every glow of affection, every effort of the understanding, 
is, in fact, manifested by means of the brain. And this pro- 
position is acknowledged by the greatest anatomists. "We 
cannot doubt," says Dr. Cullen, "that th* operations of 
our intellect always depend upon certain motions taking 
place in the brain." Dr. Gregory remarks that " although 
memory, imagination and judgment appear to be so purely 
mental as to have no connection with the body, yet certain 
diseases which obstruct them prove, that a certain state of 
the brain is necessary to their proper exercise, and that the 
brain is the primary organ of the internal powers." Blu- 
menbach, Magendie, Arnott, nay, even the Edinburgh Re- 
view, in the 94th number, as well as numerous other au- 
thorities, give like testimony. 

It is worthy of observation, that the general notion of 
the mind's independence of the body is quite modern, the 



THE BRAIN THE ORGAN OF MIND. <tfj 

ofFspringin fact of philosophical theories sprung up, chiefly, 
since the days of Locke. Shakspeare and the older writers 
frequently speak of the bruin as implying the mental func- 
tions ; and, to the present day, the notions of the vulgar are 
more in accordance with nature than those of polite schol- 
ars of the old school. Thus a stupid person is called a 
numbskull, a thick head, or said to be addle-pated — badly 
furnished in the upper story: while a talented person is 
said to be strong-headed, long-headed — to have plenty of 
brains ; a madman is said to be wrong in the head — 
touched in the noddle. 

We find, then, that reason, fact, the testimony of the 
best physiologists, and vulgar notions, all testify that the 
brain is the organ of mind.* 

And what does this proposition imply ? Clearly that the 
state of the brain must greatly influence the mental mani- 
festations, and that the perfection of those manifestations 
must depend on the perfection of the organ. How import- 
ant, then, does the study of the brain become ! 

I beg to state that in Edinburgh my Phrenological course 
occupied fifty lectures of one hour each. Your time will 
not permit this. I therefore limit my lectures to sixteen. 
As in sixteen hours, however, I should be unable to do jus- 
tice to the subject, I must beg your attendance on two hours 
of each evening. But, inasmuch as two hours' continuous 
attention would be fatiguing, I shall always pause for five 
minutes at the end of the first hour. And I hope you will 
stand up during that time, and disengage your attention 
from the subject. In this way you will be greatly relieved, 
and be enabled to bear the two hours' exertion much better, 
than would at first appear likely. 

* The usual termination of incurable mania proves that its immediato 
seat is the brain. When it continues many years, the cerebral mass is 
diminished, the cavity of the cranium contracts, and incurable dementia 
is the result. Gall, vol. ii, p. 123. 



100 THE BRAIN A CONGERIES OP ORGANS. 

I hope you will attend faithfully to the observations which 
form the introduction to my course. You will, hereafter, 
find that they have a most important practical bearing on 
the subject of Education. 

We next come to the question — Does the mind in every 
act employ the whole brain, or are separate faculties of the 
mind connected with distinct portions of the brain, as their 
respective organs % Is the brain single or multiplex \ 

That it is multiplex may be proved by a number of con- 
siderations. Analogy would lead us to this conclusion. 
Thus, in all ascertained instances, different functions are 
never performed by the same organ. We have, for in- 
stance, a distinct organ for each sense, and it appears to 
me clear that to feel puffed up with pride, and to feel great 
deference for others, are manifestations of functions as dis- 
tinct as those of smelling and hearing. Some parts appear to 
have several functions, but, on analysing them, each func- 
tion is found to be performed by its peculiar organ : thus, the 
tongue moves, feels and tastes ; but then it contains a nerve of 
motion, a nerve of feeling, and a nerve of taste ; and it may 
be deprived of any one of these functions, without the other 
two being impaired. But the most interesting example of 
distinct functions being dependent on distinct organs, is fur- 
nished by the spinal marrow. This is composed of two 
double columns, the anterior being appropriated to motion, 
the posterior to sensation. This, Sir Charles Bell clearly 
proved in the following manner : he cut an anterior nerve 
at its root in an ass, and the parts through which it ramified 
lost the power of motion, though feeling remained unim- 
paired. He cut a posterior nerve in another, and the parts 
through which it ramified lost the power of feeling, but re- 
tained that of motion.* Their distinctness is now univer- 

* Several years before Bell's experiments were heard of, Dr. Spurz- 
heim published the following observation. " It has been observed, that, 
in palsy, voluntary motion and the sense of touch are both destroyed at 
the same time, but that sometimes the one has ceased while the other 






THE BRAIN A CONGERIES OF ORGANS. 101 

sally acknowledged — and here I would make an important 
observation : it has been objected to phrenology, that to 
the organs of the brain we cannot assign distinct bounda- 
ries ; that we are unable to take a brain and isolate the or- 
gans with the dissecting-knife, showing precisely where one 
ends and another begins. But, mark, this objection holds 
equally against the distinct functions of the different parts 
of the spinal marrow: that one part is appropriated to 
nerves of sensation and another to nerves of motion, no one 
doubts ; and yet to point out the precise boundaries of the 
distinct nervous columns is absolutely impossible. 

Different faculties of the mind appear in succession : thus, 
affection for the parents or nurse appears before veneration, 
or the sense of justice ; and the power of perceiving colour 
and form before the reasoning power. I am told by mothers, 
that children manifest fear when two or three months old. 
If the brain be a single organ, these powers should be simul- 
taneously developed ; but this is not so, and the only true 
explanation seems to be, that the brain is composed of dif- 
ferent organs, which come to maturity at different times. 
Dr. Johnson, indeed, remarked that the doctrine of a varie- 
ty of faculties was absurd, ' for,' said he, 4 the man who can 
walk east can certainly walk west.' But it may be remark- 
ed, that walking east and walking west are but walking — 
the exercise of a single function ; whereas feeling fear, and 
reasoning, are quite distinct operations. 

Again, genius is always partial, which it ought not to be 

remained. From this it has been inferred, that there are two sorts of 
nerves. Anatomy has not yet demonstrated them, but I believe them to 
oxist, for the following reasons. The same nervous fibres do not go to 
the muscles and to the skin, and each of these parts has a distinct func- 
tion. The nerves which are necessary for voluntary motion cannot 
propagate the sense of touch, nor the latter the impressions of move- 
ment," &c. Sur la Folie, p. 26, Paris 1818, and before in his physiog 
nomical system, 1815. 

9* 



102 THE BRAIN A CONGERIES OF ORGANS. 

if the organs of the mind were single.* I have seen h 
maintained, in one of your periodicals, that genius is the 
result merely of an accidental exciting cause. Thus, New- 
ton was made a philosopher by the fall of an apple, and 
Byron became a great poet because he was lashed by the 
reviewers and condemned as a poetaster. But like causes 
produce like effects, and how happens it that so many mil- 
lions, before Newton* had s-een apples fall without ever 
thinking of any thing but picking them up and eating 
them 1 And if a lashing be sufficient to produce a great 
poet, why are not great poets more numerous ? Indeed, if 
critical abuse had been sufficient, I should by this time 
have become a great poet myself. 

Dreaming can be rationally explained by phrenology 
alone. Were the brain a single organ, then would all its 
faculties be asleep or awake together, and, consequently, 
dreaming be impossible. But this is not so. Cautiousness 
alone is sometimes awake : then are conjured up all fear- 
ful thoughts, and the dreams are of 4 hydras and chimeras 
dire.' On the other hand, a number of the intellectual 
faculties may be awake and the sentiments asleep ; then we 
may have a vision of friends long dead, but totally free 
from that awe or fear which their presence would inspire 
were not the feelings dormant. 

Were not the brain a congeries of organs, partial idiocy 
could not occur ; yet, that it does occur we well know. 
Here is the cast of an idiot whose intellectuaLfaculties were 
extremely small, but whose self-esteem was large ; and not- 
withstanding his utter imbecility, he had a very comforta- 
ble opinion of his own importance. I knew an idiot on the 
banks of the Clyde, who could play on one or two musical 
instruments, yet, in other respects, he was so utterly imbe- 
cile that he had to be supported by the parish. An idiot 

* " Genius ordinarily commences its great works, as it were by in- 
Btinct, without being aware of its own talent." Gall. i. 158. 



THE BRAIN A CONGERIES Or ORGANS. 103 

in Liverpool, named Jones, manifests great facility in learn- 
ing languages ; show him a passage in the bible, and he will 
point out and read the parallel passage in seven or eight 
other languages. But about the meaning lie has no idea. 
Now if the brain were a single organ this would be the same 
as if a man had the power of walking east, without having 
the power of walking west. 

Indeed, that the brain must consist of a congeries of or- 
gans, is maintained by distinguished physiologists other- 
wise opposed to phrenology ; as Foder6, and Sir Charles 
Bell. Such considerations as I have stated, have impress- 
ed men, in all ages, with belief in the brain's multiplex char- 
acter ; and particular portions of the head have been as- 
signed to distinct faculties, from the time of Aristotle. This 
drawing represents a head published at Venice in 1562, by 
Ludovico Dolci. Now what is the difference between such 
an arrangement and the system of Gall ? Simply this : — 
Gall discovered the seat of the various faculties. These 
older writers considered modes of activity as simple facul- 
ties, and located them according to a fancied propriety. 
Here, in the front, they placed common sense, because it 
seemed the most appropriate place for receiving informa- 
tion from the eyes, nose, and taste. Fancy they placed on 
the sides of the head, because it has such great facility in 
flying off in a tangent. Reflection they placed at the back 
of the head, because, in reflecting, men throw the mind 
back on itself. Memory they placed in the cerebellum, be- 
cause they thought it formed a nice little store-house for 
the safe and snug keeping of ideas till they were needed. 
This, you will observe, was making man, not observing 
him. 

The brain, then, is not a single organ, but each particu- 
lar function is manifested by a particular portion of the 
brain. 



104 INFLUENCE OF AGE ON MENTAL MANIFESTATION. 



LECTURE II. 






In the last lecture I stated reasons for believing that the 
brain is the organ of the mind, and that each distinct funda- 
mental faculty is manifested by a distinct cerebral organ. 
We now come to inquire whether the condition of the brain 
exercises any influence on the manifestations of mind. 
Does it matter, in short, whether the brain be old or young, 
healthy or diseased, fine or coarse, small or large? 

It is certain that a young and immature, or an old and 
shrunken brain cannot manifest its functions with the vigour 
and continuity of one in the heyday of life. Thus we see 
the feebleness of childhood and the imbecility of age. 
Usually at sixty or sixty-five the painter's touches become 
feeble, and the poet's fire darkened.* The influence of 
disease we observe in insanity and other affections. 

* "We are told of octogenarians, nonagenarians, and centenarians, 
with their mental faculties unimpaired ! as well might we be told of such 
individuals, with the bloom and elasticity of corporeal youthfulness 
unimpaired. Men very far advanced in years often manifest much 
sprighthness, and sufficient vigour, for a short period. But it is necessa~ 
rily short. Exhaustion overtakes them, and compels them to pause, or 
stop entirely, until their strength is renovated, when they again proceed. 
In the last years of their lives, Mr. Jefferson and Dr. Priestly furnished 
striking examples of this. At table, and elsewhere, their mental' powers 
would exhibit themselves Iriefly, with the apparent vigour and freshness 
of youth. But exhaustion soon came and constrained them to be silent 
— sometimes to slumber for a few minutes, when they would wake and 
join again in sprightly conversation. When in the vigour of life, these 
t wo individuals could have maintained for many hours the same degree 
of mental exertion, which, near its close, would have exhausted them in 
half an hour. And of every one bowed down with years the same is 
true." Dr. Caldwell. Annals of Phren. 1835, p, 409. 



SIZE, CETERIS PARIBUS, THE MEASURE OF POWER. 105 

It is the opinion of phrenologists that size, other things 
being equal, is the measure of power — that is to say, agti, 
health, exercise, and temperament being the same in two in- 
dividuals, if in one the mental organs be small, and in the 
other large, the latter will manifest mind most powerfully. 

You have all read the pleasing fable of the old man who 
showed his sons a bundle of rods, and pointed out to them 
how readily they might snap them asunder separately, but 
how difficult it was to break the whole at once. Whence 
arose this difficulty? Clearly from the added rods or 
fibres producing additional resistance : so it is with living 
parts. A muscle is strong in proportion to the number of 
its fibres ; so is a nerve. But suppose an objector to pre- 
sent a rod of iron of the same thickness as one of the 
wooden twigs, and insist that to break that single rod was 
as difficult as to break the whole bundle of twigs before 
referred to. The answer is obvious. Here the things 
compared differ in kind and quality. The condition, that 
size is a measure of power, other things being equal, has 
been entirely overlooked. Take ten iron rods of like 
thickness, and you will find, as in the former case, that it 
is ten times as difficult to break ten rods as to break one. 

The bee has a very minute brain, and yet it manifests 
great constructiveness. Now it may be argued, that if 
size be a measure of power, then should the comparatively 
enormous organ of constructiveness in man, cause him to 
manifest the faculty with proportionate energy, which is 
not the case. But this objection is unsound. The struc- 
ture of every species of animal is modified to suit its condi- 
tion, and you can no more compare a bee with a man, than 
a twig with an iron rod. Correct conclusions can be ob- 
tained only by comparing animals of the same species. It 
is to be observed, however, that the more nearly any two 
species resemble each other, the fitter they become for 
profitable comparison. Thus, the heads of the cat and 
tiger, correspond more closely with each other, than those 



106 SIZE, CETERIS PARIBUS, THE MEASURE OF POWER, 

of the tiger and sheep ; hence, too, by comparing man with 
the higher animals, analogy throws on human organization 
a reflected light, which serves admirably for illustration, 
though not for proof. Direct observation on man himself 
is the only evidence on which phrenologists depend, and 
on such evidence alone their science rests. 

All animated nature teems with proofs that size is a mea- 
sure of power. Large lungs aerate blood better than small 
ones, and large muscles are more powerful than s^nall ones. 
If a liver with a surface of ten square inches, secrete four 
ounces of bile, it is certain that, other conditions being 
equal, a liver with a surface twice as great would secrete 
twice as much. Bones are large in proportion to the 
weight they have to support : hence their enormous size in 
the elephant and the mammoth, a complete specimen of 
which I saw at Philadelphia — and their strength is always 
in proportion to their size, other things being equal. But 
suppose the arrangement of the bony matter to differ, then 
may the same quantity produce different degrees of 
strength. Thus, if you wished to place an iron pillar 
weighing ten tons in the centre of this room, for the pur- 
pose of supporting it, the strength of the pillar would be 
much greater if you disposed the matter in the cylindrical, 
than if you disposed it in the solid form. So when nature 
wishes to give strength to the bones of birds without in- 
creasing weight, the bone is made of large diameter, but 
hollow in the middle. It would not do, therefore, to com- 
pare equal quantities of bone, in one case compacted 
and in the other arranged cylindrically, inasmuch as the 
conditions would not be equal. But of two cylindrical 
bones, containing matter in proportion to their size, the 
largest would be the most powerful. And of two compact 
bones, the same would hold good. 

We have striking confirmation of the principle I am 
advocating, in the relative distribution of the different kinds 
of nerves. Speaking generally, there are two classes of 






SIZE, CETERIS PARIBUS, THE MEASURE OF TOWER. 10? 

nerves, those of motion and those of sensation. Now 
wherever the power of motion predominates m an animal, 
there are the nerves of motion most numerous ; and wiiere- 
ever the power of feeling predominates, there are the 

nerves of sensation most numerous. Thus, in the horse, 
which is noted for its muscular power, the nerves of motion 
going to the limbs are one third more numerous than those 
of sensation. Whereas, in man, distinguished for aeuteness 
of feeling, the nerves of sensation are one fifth more nume- 
rous than those of motion. The nerve of feeling going to 
the elephant's proboscis, and ramified on its tactile extrem- 
ity, exceeds in volume all the muscular nerves of that organ 
put together. Birds require to rise in -*iie air, which is a 
medium much lighter than their bodies : Nature, there- 
fore, to avoid enlarging their mi^cles,and thus increasing 
their weight, has bestowed on «em large nerves of motion. 
Power is thus secured by l PPl vin g a strong stimulus to 
muscles comparatively small. In fishes, on the contrary, 
which live in a medium almost equal in density to their own 
bodies, the muscles are comparatively large, and the nerves 
small. Thus does -mture beautifully adapt the structure 
of the animal to i* condition. 

We find thV adaptation well illustrated by the external 
senses. F*acft of these senses is composed of an instru- 
ment on which the impression is made, and of a nerve to 
conduct that impression to the brain. Now a laige eye will 
evidently collect more rays of light, a large ear more vibra- 
tions of sound, and large nostrils more odorous particles, 
than the same organs if small. And the nerves, ramified 
in these organs, give intensity of perception proportionate 
to their extent. The organ of vision affords a most inter- 
esting example of this. A large eye collects a greater num- 
ber of rays, and, consequently, commands a greater sphere 
of vision than a small one. The ox is remarkable for the 
size of his eye; (hence the term ' ox-eyed,' applied to large- 
eyed individuals ;) he consequently commands a large 



10S SIZE, CETERIS PARIBUS, THE MEASURE OF POWER, 

range of space without turning round ; but, as his proven- 
der lies at his feet, his sight need not be acute : according- 
ly, we find that the optic nerve is not large in proportion. 
The eagle, on the contrary, soaring as it does to an immense 
height, needs not a large eye to give it range of vision, but 
it needs intensity of vision, that it may perceive its prey at 
a great distance. We find its eye, therefore, of small size, 
but of great keenness : the optic nerve is enormously large. 
It does not, as in man, form a mere lining membrane to 
the posterior chamber, but, according to Des Moulins, is 
composed of folds hanging loosely into the eye, and aug- 
menting largely both the nervous surface and nervous mass, 
giving that great intensity of vision, which particularly dis- 
tinguishes this bird of r>rey, and enables it to discover its 
quarry at immense distaiiu> s# * 

The external ear is for the purpose of collecting the vi- 
brations of sound, and we fiu6 the lower animals to have 
large trumpet-ears, which man imitates, when he wants to 
hear distinctly, by using an ear-trumpet. 

In man, the olfactory nerves spread over twenty sqnare 
inches ; in the seal, over one hundred and twenty — and in 
this animal the sense is so acute that ti*> hunters have to 
approach him in the teeth of the wind. There are two 
dogs, the greyhound and pointer: the first follows the game 
by its eye, and the last by its smell. The nose of the first 

* Des Moulins is incorrect. On a retina so constructed it would bo 
impossible for the rays of light so to arrange themselves as to form a 
perfect image. What he calls folds of the retina, are nothing more- than 
the marsupium, a membranous, puckered, fanlike body, which arises from 
the back of the eye, passes through a division in the retina, and is inserted 
into the vitreous humour, not far from the foremost or inner edge of the 
crystalline lens, out of the way of direct vision. The marsupium is thin, 
vascular and erectile, and assists in so affecting the position of the lens y 
as to accommodate the eye to variations of distance. 

With the aid of my ingenious friend Dr. W. C. Wallace, I recently 
examined the structure of the eagle's eye, and therefore give the above 
correction with confidence. The principle in the text is not, of course,. 
affected by this anatomical error. 



SIZE, CJBTERIS PARIBUS, THE MEASURE OF POWER. 109 

is narrow and pointed ; that of the last broad and extend- 
ed. The sheep excels man in the acuteness of smell, and 
accordingly, while in it the nerve is thicker than this pen- 
cil, in man its size is not greater than pack-thread or a 
thin whip-cord. The mole is remarkable for the acuteness 
of its smell, and the nerve is very large. It is remarkable 
for the feebleness of vision — thus, ■ as blind as a mole' is 
a common saying. Corresponding with this is the smallness 
of its optic nerve. 

Lord Jeffrey, in an article which he published in the 
Edinburgh Review, opposed this doctrine, of size being a 
measure of power. " The proposition," he says, " is no less 
contrary to the analogy of all our known organs, than to gen- 
eral probability. Grandmamma Wolf, in the fairy tale, 
does, indeed, lean a little to the phrenological heresy, when 
she has large eyes to see the better. But with this one ven- 
erable exception, we rather think that it has never been 
held before, that the strength of vision depends upon the 
size of the eye, the perfection of hearing on the magnitude 
of the ear, or the nicety of taste on the breadth of the tongue 
and palate." 

Now it happens that so far as the weight of authority is 
concerned, the venerable grandmamma Wolf has complete 
advantage over Lord Jeffrey, and fairly beats him out of the 
field — Soemmering, Cuvier, Monro, Blumenbach, Magen- 
die, Georget and a host of others, taking her side in the 
controversy. Blumenbach says: " While animals of the 
most acute smell have the nasal organs most extensively 
evolved, precisely the same holds in regard to some barba- 
rous nations. For instance, in the head of a North American 
Indian the internal nostrils are of an extraordinary size. 
The nearest to these in point of magnitude are the internal 
nostrils of the Ethiopians." Monro primus says : " The 
sensibility of smell is increased in proportion to the surface ; 
this will also be found to take place in all the other senses." 

Suppose that, after these expositions, I were to tell you 
10 



110 SIZE, CETERIS PARIBUS, THE MEASURE OF POWER. 

that size has no influence on power in the human brain — 
would you be disposed to credit the assertion ? I think not. 
Here is the skull of an infant ; here one of an adult — 
mark the difference in size. This is the skull of a Swiss ; 
this of a Hindoo — see how large the one compared with 
the other — and what says history of their manifestations of 
power 1 While the one people achieved their independence 
at an early day, and have maintained it at times against 
fearful odds, the other have ever been the prey of invaders, 
and one hundred millions of them are at this moment kept 
in subjection by forty or fifty thousand Englishmen. Before 
studying phrenology this last fact was utterly inexplicable 
to me. The Hindoos are considerably advanced in the 
arts of civilized life. They have written language, systems 
of law and religion. And yet, they are utterly unable to 
contend against a mere handful of Anglo-Saxons. But 
now the reason is plain, the small comparative size of 
their brain explains their feebleness. Again, here is the 
head of a Peruvian Indian, a fair specimen of the race ; 
see how small compared with the European head ; and 
you know that a few Spaniards conquered a nation of 
them. 

But again, when the brain is below a certain size, idiot- 
ism is the invariable result. In the lowest class of idiots, 
the horizontal circumference of the head, taken a little 
higher than the orbit, varies from 11 to 13 inches; in a 
full-sized head, the circumference is 22 inches ; in Spur- 
zheim's skull it is 22J. In such idiots the distance from 
the root of the nose, backwards over the top of the head to 
the occipital spine, is only 8 or 9 inches ; in a -full sized- 
head it is 14; in the skull of Spurzheim it is 13^. Let 
those who deny the influence of size reconcile these facts 
with their belief. We challenge them to produce a man 
with a small sized head, who manifests great general men- 
tal power. 

" But," say some, H we know idiots who have large 



THE HAT DOES NOT INDICATE THE BRAIN'S SIZE. Ill 

heads." Our reply is — so do we ; but, then, in these cases, 
the brain is not healthy. A large leg is usually indicative 
of strength ; but this is not the case when the leg is large 
from disease. But though disease be absent, if the size of 
the brain be very deficient, idiocy is invariable, and men 
remarkable for great force of character, as Bruce, Crom- 
well, Bonaparte, Franklin, and Burns, invariably have 
heads of unusual magnitude. 

But here allow me to save you from error. Many, after 
hearing this statement, immediately commence to try on the 
hats of their acquaintance, and are apt to conclude that the 
man with the largest hat is the most clever. Now, here is a 
little bit of a mistake. The hat is the measure only of the 
head's circumference in a part of which he need not be so 
proud. It does not measure a great part of the intellect, and 
none at all of the moral sentiments. Hatters, in seeming an- 
ticipation of moral improvement, have left in the upper part 
of our hats, ample room for the moral sentiments to sprout 
and grow. Sir Walter Scott's hatter told me, that the hat of 
that celebrated individual was one of the smallest which went 
out of his store. But then the perceptive faculties, which 
were large in Scott, were not reached by the hat. The up- 
per and lateral portions of his forehead were only full. Cau- 
tiousness was little more than moderately, and Concentra- 
tiveness only moderately developed ; and these organs, 
taken collectively, determine the circumference of the hat. 
His forehead and coronal region towered high. ! His head, 
from the ear to veneration, was the highest I ever beheld; 
but of these dimensions his hat gave no account. 

That size has an important influence on the power of man- 
ifestation, is now admitted even by the Edinburgh Review. 
In the 94th number appeared a paper written by Dr. Con- 
nolly, containing this sentence : " The brain is observed pro- 
gressively to be improved in its structure, and, with refer- 
ence to the spinal marrow and nerves, augmented in volume 
more and more, until we reach the human brain, each addi- 



112 EFFECTS OF TEMPERAMENT ON CEREBRAL ACTIVITY. 

tion being marked by some addition to, or amplication of, 
the powers of the anima] — until in man we behold it pos- 
sessing some parts of which animals are destitute, and want- 
ing none which they possess." 

The principle for which we contend being thus establish- 
ed, we would remark that it is susceptible of a most import- 
ant application. It is found, in four cases out of five, that in 
insanity the nature of the derangement bears direct reference 
to the predominant organ or organs. Some are affected with 
melancholia ; in these the organ of cautiousness will be 
found large. Some fancy themselves the Deity : in these, 
Self-esteem will be found predominant. Some are furious : 
in these Destructiveness will be found large. These are gene- 
rally cases of functional derangement ; and by examining 
the heads of the insane, I can generally determine with ac- 
curacy the nature of their derangements. But a small organ 
may become diseased, and sometimes does so. Most fre- 
quently, however, the derangement is structural : thus, I 
have seen a small organ deranged by a spiculum of bone 
growing into it, and by the pressure of a fungous deposi- 
tion. 

Let us now inquire into the circumstances which modify 
the effects of size. The most important of these is the con- 
stitution of the brain ; and the question naturally arises — do 
we possess any means of ascertaining this constitution 1 We 
do, in the observation of what are called the temperaments, 
which are ftur in number — the lymphatic, the sanguine, the 
bilious, and the nervous — each of which is accompanied by 
a different degree of activity in the brain. The temperaments 
are supposed to depend upon the condition of particular sys- 
tems of the body : the brain and nerves being predominantly 
active seem to produce the nervous temperament ; the lungs 
and blood-vessels being constitutionally predominant, give 
rise to the sanguine ; the muscular and fibrous systems be- 
ing predominant, give rise to what is called the bilious, but 
which should be called the fibrous temperament ; and the 









■ 






I 




TEMPERAMENTS 



EFFECTS OF TEMPERAMENT OX CEREBRAL ACTIVITY. 113 

predominance of the glands and assimilating organs give 
rist* to the lymphatic. 

The temperaments are indicated by external signs:* 

1. The lymphatic is indicated by roundness of form, soft- 
ness of muscle, fair hair, pale skin, sleepy eyes, and inex- 
pressive face. In this temperament the brain, and all other 
parts of the system, are feeble in action, slow and languid. 
The system seems one great manufactory of fat, and has the 
appearance of an over ripe gooseberry. 

2. The sanguine is indicated by a well-defined form, 
moderate plumpness, firm flesh, chesnut hair, blue eyes, and 
ruddy, fair complexion. There is great fondness for exercise 
and intolerance of muscular quiescence. The brain par- 
takes of the general activity. 

3. The biliousis indicated by black hair, dark skin, mode- 
rate stoutness, firm flesh, and harsh features. It <rives great 
power of endurance, or bottom, as the jockeys call it. 

4. The nervous is indicated by fine thin hair, small mus- 
cles, thin skin, paleness of countenance, and brightness of 
eye. This temperament gives great vivacity of mental ac- 
tion.! 

These temperaments are, however, seldom found pure. 
We have a mixture of the nervous and bilious as in Lord 
Brougham, giving great activity and endurance. As an ex- 
ample of Brougham's power of continuous activity, I may 
mention a circumstance, which I have heard mentioned 

* See Plate of the temperaments. 

t One of the great causes why men of talent frequently leave no 
gifted posterity, is. that they form alliances with women of low tempera- 
ment, in whose inert systems their vivacity is extinguished; and, on the 
other hand, the cause why men of genius often descend from fathers in 
whom no trace of etherial qualities can be discovered, is, that those men 
were the fortunate husbands of women of high temperament, and fine 
cerebral combinations, who transmitted these qualities to their offspring 
Ed. Phren. Jour. No. 31. 

The effects of temperament pervade all parts of the body ; and hence 
t fine or coarse skull or skin, is an indication that the textures of the 
brain and the nervous system, and of die muscles are similar. Ibid. 



114 EFFECTS OF TEMPERAMENT ON CEREBRAL ACTIVITY. 

among his friends in Edinburgh. Brougham was engaged 
in a Court of Law all day; he went from the Court to the 
House of Commons and remained there till two in the morn- 
ing ; on going home he wrote an article for the Edinburgh 
Review, by the time of finishing which he went to the 
Court ; from the Court he again proceeded to the House of 
Commons, where he remained till some time in the morning 
— and it was not till the morning of the third day that he 
retired to bed. During all this time his vigour seemed 
unabated. 

The nervous and lymphatic temperaments are not un- 
frequently combined : this gives alternations of great activi- 
ty and indolence. It was the combination of Professor 
Leslie. He would for a day or two apply himself with 
great vigour, assiduity and success, to scientific studies ; it 
would then seem as though the nervous energy were ex- 
hausted, and the nutritive system came into predominance ; 
he would sit and eat, and dose and sleep — paying no atten- j 
tion to study for a considerable interval. He would often 
take a day to go about and attend to any matters not requi- 
ring much mental exertion ; again would the nervous sys- 
tem come into predominance, and again, for two or three I 
days, would he apply himself most assiduously to study. 
Of the lymphatic or even nervous lymphatic temperament, I 
have found few instances in this country. They are more , 
common, however, in Philadelphia than in this city, but not 
nearly so common there as in Europe. 

The nervous and sanguine temperaments both give ac 
tivity ; but the first is more of a mental, and the last more i 
of a physical character. The nervous is a grave, thought- 
ful temperament, the sanguine is accompanied with an ap- j 
pearance of hilarity and hope, there is a peculiar lighting 
up of the countenance, and tendency to motion. One 
of the former temperament would rather write a note than 
walk across the floor ; one of the latter would rather walk 
the length of Broadway than write a note. 



FORMER MODES OF INVESTIGATION. 115 

Shakspearc admirably contrasts the lymphatic and ner- 
vous temperaments in the scene between Caesar and An- 
tony : 

desar. Let me have men about me that are fat — 

Sleclc'headcd men, and such as sleep o' nights. 

Yon<T Cassius has a lean and hungry look : 

He thinks too much — such men are dangerous. 
Antony. Fear him not, Csesar; he's not dangerous — 

He is a noble Roman, and well given. 
CsBsar. Would he were fatter — but I fear him not; 

Yet if my name were liable to fear, 

I do not know the man I should avoid 

So soon as that spare Cassius. 

It is to be remembered, then, that a large brain may, in 

fact, be less active than a smaller one if its temperament 

be inferior. But in judging the relative power of organs, 

temperament need not be considered, as all the organs of 

i the same head are of the same temperament. 

In cases of disease great size may be present, and yet the 
manifestations of mind may be very feeble and imperfect. 
In this case, size forms no measure of power any more 
than in the case of a leg affected with dropsy. 

Now, if the brain be the' organ of mind, and different 
parts of the brain manifest different faculties, it cannot be in- 
different what part is most or least developed, for it is obvi- 
ous that two brains may be composed of precisely the same 
quantity of cerebral matter, and yet manifest totally differ- 
ent qualities. The form of the head, therefore, is not less 
interesting and important to phrenologists than the size. 
Before proceeding further with the consideration of this 
subject however, let us glance at the means which have been 
used by those inquirers who have preceded Dr. Gall, to 
ascertain the true philosophy of mind and functions of the 
brain. 

By one set of philosophers, the laws of thought have been 
expounded without any reference to organization. Such 






116 ON VIVISECTION. 

were Locke, Hume, Reid, Stewart, and others. They re- 
flected on their own consciousness, and they inform us of 
the result of their investigations, what they have thought 
and what they have felt. Consciousness does not inform 
us that the mind manifests itself by means of organs at all, 
and the connection of the brain with the mind forms no 
part of their philosophy. 

With the hope of obtaining some information concerning 
the functions of the brain, the anatomists have cut it up in 
every possible direction, but no sentiment was ever perceived 
slumbering in its fibres, nor half-formed ideas starting from 
its folds. In fact a dissection never yet disclosed the func- 
tions of any part whatever. Formerly it was very prevalent 
in France to cut out parts from the brains of living animals, 
in order to ascertain functions ; a practice as absurd as it \ 
was cruel. The experimenters proceeded on the supposi- 
tion that nothing was known concerning the functions of i 
the brain, and yet they expected to ascertain functions, by . 
observing what powers were not manifested when various 
parts were destroyed. Suppose a musical instrument 
were presented to one of these operators, and that his object 
was to discover, by experiments, what sounds it was capa- 
ble of producing, and by what part of it each sound was j 
emitted. Imagine him to take a hammer and smash, at i 
random, a number of its springs and wheels, and then set ! 
the machine a-going. By listening to the sounds emitted, 
how could he tell what were wanting, when he did not 
know the whole originally within its compass? and how j 
could he tell by their silence, the sounds which the broken J 
strings were originally calculated to emit. Yet this would 
be precisely analogous to the procedure of the vivisectors. if 
They are unacquainted with the number of the mental J 
powers, and they destroy several of them at random, that 
they may find it out. They do not know what particular 
power is manifested by any particular part of the brain, yet < 
they destroy the part to get it to reveal its function. They 



ON DISEASE OP CEREBRAL ORGANS. 117 

break the string of a musical instrument, and then listen 
to hear what sound it will not emit ! 

We hear of M agendie, and others, cutting away certain 
portions of the brain in various animals, and that some ani- 
mals, went forwards, some backwards, some to the right, 
some to the left, some seemed drunk, some stupid. Andthen 
from these experiments, a number of so-called important de- 
ductions were drawn. But how can deductions, fit to be de- 
pended on, be drawn from the actions of animals so tortured? 
Suppose you take a beautiful blackbird and cut through its 
integuments and skull, and take out a portion of its brain, 
do you think it would favour you with a song? And be- 
cause it did not, would you be correct in calling the excised 
, portion of brain the organ of tune? Suppose you take 
: another animal, and serve it in like manner, do you think it 
i would be in the humour or condition to tend and nurture 
\ its young ? And because it did not, would it be correct to 
■ say that the excised portion was that which manifested love 
1 of offspring? Had phrenology been based on such obser- 
vations, then would it have merited all the obloquy which 
i has been heaped upon it. But because such cruel experi- 
slments have been performed to overthrow phrenology, they 
have been lauded as most philosophical ! 

Again, pathological cases have been brought forward to 
illustrate the functions of the brain ; and sometimes to op- 
pose phrenology. Now, before you can draw any conclusion 
concerning the function of a part from a state of disease, 
you must know the function of the part in health. But as 
the non-phrenologist is ignorant of the situation of particu- 
lar organs, he cannot tell, when a certain feeling is deranged, 
in what organ to look for disease. Nor. when he sees mor- 
aid appearances in an organ, what faculty was probably de- 
ranged. To illustrate my meaning, I relate the following 
circumstance. 
Mr. N * was a man highly respected for talent and 

* Mr. Combe, for the sake of authenticity, mentioned the name. 



118 ON DISEASE OP CEREBRAL ORGANS. 

character : he was at one time minister plenipotentiary to 
this country, and at another to the court of Constantinople, 
He lived to the age of ninety-three. Seven years before his 
death his character commenced to undergo a remarkable 
change ; from being one of the most amiable and courteous, 
he became one of the most violent of men. He abused his 
aged gardener, spit in his face, and threw things at him. He 
also from being an admirable linguist became unable to use 
words. When he died, Dr. Abercrombie and Mr. Craig 
examined the brain, and Mr. N — , being connected by mar- 
riage with a near relative of mine, I was invited to attend. 
The medical gentlemen knew, by means of their intercourse 
with Mr. N — , that he had lost the use of words ; but they 
did not know, which I did, of the change of his temper. 
They found an abscess, one inch in length by half an inch 
in breadth,in the posterior lobe where Combativeness is situ- 
ated. They conceived this lesion to be connected with his 
loss of words. I regarded this as connected with his 
change of temper, and expected to find another injury in 
the anterior lobe. When Mr. Craig came near the organ 
of language, I begged of him to dissect carefully. I saw 
an abscess there before he discovered it, I took the probe, 
and pointed it out to him ; he unfolded it, and it was in the 
line of the fibres of the organ of language. Mr. Craig 
published an account of the case, in which he mentioned 
the large lesion and connected it with the loss of words ; he 
had been unacquainted with the furious conduct of Mr. N. 
I immediately published another report, stating the conduct 
of the patient in this respect, and showing clearly the man- 
ner in which the post mortem appearances harmonized with 
phrenological doctrines. I repeat, that a non-phrenologist 
is incapable of reporting pathological cases of the cerebral 
organs with success. 

which I deem it proper on this, and like occasions, to suppress, lest pain 
should be given to individuals in private life with whom the parties men- . 
tioned were connected by the ties of blood or friendship. 



DR. GALL'S METHOD OF INVESTIGATION. 119 

Dr Roget, an opponent of phrenology, confesses, that 
11 the brain ia still as incomprehensible in its functions, as 
it is subtle ami complex in its anatomy.' , Dr. Conolly, in 
the 94th No. of the Edinburgh Review, well describes the 
utter confusion of the anatomists and physiologists, even in 
late years, when trying to unravel the mysteries of the 
brain. 

It is plain, then, that if Dr. Gall could boast no superior 
method to that of ordinary physiologists and metaphysi- 
cians, he would have been unable to solve the question, What 
parts of the brain and what mental faculties are connected 1 
He was led, however, to adopt a different and superior mode 
of inquiry, which will be best explained by relating briefly 
the history of his discovery. 

Dr. Gall, from an early age, was given to observation 
and was struck with the fact, that each individual was dis- 
tinguished for some peculiarity of talent or disposition. 
Some of his schoolmates were distinguished for the beauty 
of their penmanship, some for the elegance, others for the 
stiffness and dryness of their style of composition. Their 
dispositions were equally different ; and this diversity ap- 
peared to determine their partialities and aversions. Some 
manifested a fondness for employments which they were 
not taught. Some would spend their leisure in painting, 
some in cultivating a garden, some in carving, some in noisy 
games. Each individual presented a peculiar character, 
and Gall observed, that an individual who one year had 
displayed selfish or knavish dispositions, never became in 
the next a good and faithful friend. 

The most formidable rivals of Gall, at school, were such 
as learned by heart with great facility, and these he noticed 
nad prominent eyes ; they gained from him, by their repe- 
titions, the places which he had obtained by the merit of his 
original compositions. Some years afterwards he changed 
his residence, and he still found that his school-fellows, 
so gifted, had prominent eyes. He made the same observa- 






120 dr. gall's method of investigation, 

tion on entering the University. Gall could not believe 
this connection to be purely accidental, but suspected that 
they stood in an important relation to each other. After 
much reflection he conceived, that there might be ex- 
ternal signs for the other intellectual powers, and thereaf- 
ter all individuals remarkable for any mental quality 
became the objects of his attention. Light broke in upon 
him by an almost imperceptible induction, and by degrees 
he conceived himself to have found external characteristics, 
indicative of a decided disposition for painting, music, and 
the mechanical arts. 

In following out the principle which had thus presented 
itself to his mind, he encountered great difficulties. The 
prevailing notions of the philosophers and physiologists 
were a continual stumbling-block, till abandoning every 
theory and preconceived opinion, he gave himself up to the 
study of nature. He visited prisons and schools, was in- 
troduced into the courts of princes, to colleges and the seats 
of justice, ami visited every individual remarkable for any 
particular endowment. During my recent visit to Vienna, 
I was informed that such was the ardour with which Gall 
pursued his inquiries, that he created alarm ; people when 
dying were afraid lest Gall should obtain their skull, and 
some left orders in their wills that means should be taken 
to prevent him. 

On reflection, Gall was convinced that, without anatomy, 
physiology must be imperfect ; and although he had always 
supposed the external indications to depend on the brain, 
he had not gone beyond other anatomists in explaining its 
structure. But observing a woman afflicted with hydro- 
cephalus, who manifested an active and intelligent mind, 
he declared that the structure of the brain must differ from 
what was generally conceived. From that commenced his 
anatomical discoveries. Gall did not first dissect the brain 
and thus pretend to discover the mental organs, nor did he 
first map out the skull according to his imagination. On 



DR. GALL^ METHOD OF INVESTIGATION. 121 

the contrary, he first observed a concomitance between 
particular talents and dispositions, and particular forms of 
the head; he next ascertained, by the removal of the skull, 
that the size and figure of the brain are indicated by ex- 
ternal appearances ; and it was only after these facts were 
ascertained, that the brain was minutely dissected and light 
thrown upon its structure. 

Dr. Gall, for the first time, delivered lectures on his sys- 
tem in 1796, at Vienna ; in 1800, Dr. Spurzheim became 
a student of his, and in 1804, his associate. 

When I was in Germany, I saw a collection of books 
describing the science at different stages of its progress, 
and also skulls marked at different times ; all proving that 
the organs were discovered in succession. Indeed, I found 
in this country a most unexpected corroboration of the fact. 
Mr. Nicholas Biddle, when a young man, and on a visit to 
Europe, in 1806, attended a course of Dr. Gall's lectures, 
and was so much interested that he requested Dr. Spurz- 
heim to mark out the places of the organs on the skull, 
which the Dr. did. When in Philadelphia, Mr. Biddle 
presented me with the skull so marked, saying, that I could 
make a better use of it than he- This' is it, and you perceive 
that there are a number of unoccupied places. You per- 
ceive that Hope, Conscientiousness, Individuality, Concen- 
trativeness, Time, Size and Weight, are not marked upon 
it, they, at that time, being unascertained. 

So far indeed was Gall from advocating a hypothesis, 
that in the disjointed items of information which he first 
presented to the public, there appears a want of ordinary 
regard for systematic arrangement. A candid and un- 
coloured statement ot facts was all he seemed desirous of 
famishing, leaving their value to be ascertained by time 
and farther investigation. But gradually a system of men- 
tal philosophy emauated, almost spontaneously, from the 
seeming chaos. 

11 



122 VARIETIES OP DISPOSITIONS AND TALENTS 



LECTURE III. 

In order that we may successfully investigate mental 
powers by means of organization, we must be able, 

I. To discover the mental qualities of individuals from 
their actions. 

II. To ascertain the size of the brain during life. Let 
us see whether these things are practicable* 

It is worthy of remark that men familiar with human 
life and conduct have ever had much practical knowledge 
of the philosophy which we teach, while metaphysicians 
have been wandering in the dark. They have observed that 
one person is very covetous, another cruel, another benevo- 
lent, another proud, another vain ; that some have a passion 
for poetry, some for music, some for sculpture, some for the 
mechanic arts. In their intercourse with society they act on 
these observations and try to move men to certain courses 
of conduct by very different appeals. To the covetous they 
describe the profitableness of the act which they wish him 
to perform ; to the benevolent its kindness ; to the vain its 
praiseworthiness. They feel assured, too, that these dis- 
positions are natural, uniform, and permanent, and never 
expect that a man prone to covetousness to-day will to-mor- 
row become very benevolent ; that to-day an individual 
may be deaf to the voice of censure, or of fame, who yester- 
day was tremblingly alive to every breath that was blown 
upon his character. 

As to intellectual endowments, these cannot be similatecl, 
To produce a Catalani's burst of melody, you must possess 
the faculty of music; to send forth the splendid eloquence 
of a Chalmers, you must be gifted with his ideality. To 



VARIETIES OF DISPOSITIONS AND TALENTS. 123 

fathom, like Newton, the profundities of science; to soar, 
like Shakspeare and Milton, beyond the boundaries of 
sublunary space, requires a mind far different from that 
which can scarcely grope its way through the daily occur- 
rences of life, or which sees no glory in the heavens, and 
no loveliness on earth, i He has a genius for music ;' ' he 
has a genius for painting ;' * he has a genius for nothing, 1 
are common expressions, and express the convictions 
which experience has produced. Men believe, doubtless, 
that education may improve any faculty — but not that it 
can produce genius ; whereas great genius cannot be wholly 
hidden by any accumulation of difficulties. It is observed, 
doubtless, that one who seems dull at ten, may be a genius 
at twenty — because a child has not the full-grown powers 
of a man. But it is not imagined that every boy may be 
made a genius by any education or in any length of time. 
We acknowledge that different individuals may follow a 
line of conduct, the same in external appearance, from differ- 
ent internal motives ; and that seemingly virtuous deeds are 
often performed under the influence of selfishness and cun- 
ning. For example, there were two girls, Mary and Jane, 
walking in an orchard, and they saw two fine apples lying 
on the grass. Mary was about to pick them up, give one 
to her sister and eat the other herself. But Jane checked 
her and remarked, that as the fruit in the orchard belonged 
not to their father but to his tenant, they had no right to 
the apples, and it would be wrong to take them. Such 
conduct would be considered as indicative of a nice sense 
of justice, and rare strictness of'moral conduct. But mark 
| these little girls ; they go home, and as soon as Mary has 
i sat down to work, Jane steals out, picks up the apples, and 
eats them both herself. Now her conduct presents a very 
different aspect, and indicates a disgusting combination of 
cunning, dishonesty and selfishness. Had you formed 
your opinion of her character from a partial knowledge of 
her conduct, that opinion would doubtless have been very 



124 THE FORMATION OP THE BRAIN. 

erroneous. You need therefore to exercise a rigid scrutiny 
in forming your opinion, but from such scrutiny few indeed 
are^able to veil their true dispositions ; and if there be per- 
sons who do possess this power of dissimulation, it forms 
the predominant feature in their mental constitution ; and, 
as will afterward be shown, is indicated by a particular 
form of organization. 

I venture to conclude, then, that the first point is estab- 
lished in favour of phrenology. Let us now inquire whether 
it be possible to discover the true form of the brain by ob- 
serving the form of the head. But first allow me to make 
a few remarks on the formation and structure of the brain. 

In forming animals, Nature seems to have proceeded 
with as much uniformity as in forming the solar system. 
We find animals continually increasing in intelligence, and 
as we proceed up the scale, ' the brain,' to use the words 
of Dr. Conolly, in the Edinburgh Review, ' is observed pro- 
gressively improved in its structure, and, with reference to 
the spinal marrow and nerves, augmented in volume more 
and more, until we reach the human brain.' And it is a 
remarkable fact, that man seems to pass through every gra- 
dation of animal existence. His heart is at first a mere pul- 
sating vessel, like that of an insect ; then a sack like that 
of a fish ; then two sacks like that of an amphibious ani- 
mal ; then a regular double heart. So the human brain at 
one period presents appearances analogous to the brain in 
fishes ; then to that of birds; then to that of the mammalia 
and finally becomes, by the addition of new portions, 
proper human brain, and is such at birth ; and, according t< 
Soemmering, has no convolutions till the sixth or sevent 
month of gestation, being in this respect like the brain o 
mature fishes and birds in which convolutions are neve 
found. Convolutions then begin to appear and gradual! 
enlarge to adult age. 

Atheists have taken advantage of these facts to maintain 
that man is merely an improved edition of an animal. 



STRUCTURE OF THE BRAIN. 125 

Now this is not correct ; for besides having all that the ani- 
mal possesses, he has parts which it does not possess : he is 
endowed with moral sentiments and reflective faculties ; 
and it would be just as correct to say, that a locomotive 
steam-carriage is an improved edition of a wheelbarrow, be- 
cause both have two sides, a bottom and a top. 

The brain comes to maturity at different ages in different 
persons — seldom before the age of twenty, and sometimes, 
according to Gall, not before forty. My own observations 
prove, that it generally continues spontaneously to grow to 
twenty-three years of age, and sometimes to twenty-eight. 

A good-sized, mature brain in man weighs 3 lbs. 8 oz. ; 
in women 3 lbs. 4 oz. The brain of distinguished men is 
often very heavy : Cuvier's weighed 3 lbs. 10 oz. 4^ dr. 

The brain is a mass of soft matter, incapable of feeling 
pain on being injured. It consists of two hemispheres or 
halves, which are separated from each other by a mem- 
brane called the falciform or scythe-shaped process ; each 
hemisphere is divided into three lobes, the anterior, middle 
and posterior. This last division is to some extent arti- 
ficial ; for though the divisions partially exist, as you per- 
ceive on looking at the base of this cast, on the superior 
surface you see no such divisions. Then there is the cere- 
bellum or little brain, situated beneath the posterior part of 
the cerebrum or true brain, and separated from it by a 
membrane called the tentorium. There are in fact two 
brains, just as there are two eyes or two ears, each hemi- 
sphere being capable of independent action, but united to 
its fellow at the bottom of the medial cleft by a commissure 
or connecting part. On the surface of the brain, as you 
perceive, there are waving lines: these are the convolutions. 
They vary from half an inch to an inch in depth. I have 
said that in the lowest animals convolutions do not exist. 
We do not find them in fishes, nor in birds, nor in the 
lowest of the quadrupeds, such as the rat and mouse. As 
we proceed up the scale, they commence and increase in 

11* 



126 STRUCTURE OP THE BRAIN. 

size and number. Every one must have been struck with 
the difference, as to docility, between dogs and cats. 
Accordingly, Des Moulins estimates the convolutions of the 
dog to exceed six or eight times those of the cat. The ape 
has more large and numerous convolutions than the dog, 
though some dogs are scarcely inferior to the higher order, 
even of apes, in this respect. The most marked superior- 
ity exists in the apes of the old world over those of the new, 
as is well known ; and there is a corresponding difference 
in the convolutions. It was stated by M. Berard that none 
of the gentlemen present at the dissection of Cuvier's brain 
remembered to have seen one so complicated, or with con- 
volutions so numerous and compact, or with such deep 
anfractuosities ; these last were stated as an inch deep. 
Atrocious criminals have been noticed to have very small, 
narrow and shallow convolutions in the moral regions. 

According to Haller, the brain is supplied with one fifth 
of all the blood in the body ; according to Dr. Monro, with 
one tenth. In either case the supply is very great. Each 
hemisphere has its own arteries ; but the venous blood is 
carried away by a common canal. 

The substance of the brain is composed of a white mat- 
ter in the interior, called the medullary portion, and of a 
gray or cineritious matter forming the outside, which dips 
down with the convolutions, and forms the dark substance 
seen between the folds. It does not blend gradually with 
the white or medullary matter, but, on the contrary, the line 
of demarcation is abrupt. The supply of blood seems to 
be greater than in the medullary portion. The convolu- 
tions appear intended for the purpose of increasing the su- 
perficial extent of the brain without enlarging its absolute 
size — an arrangement analogous to that employed in the 
eye of the eagle. 

It is often asked whether in the brain there are distinct 
lines of separation observable between the organs. We 
answer no. We presume that in the brain such lines do 



STRUCTURE OF THE BRAIN. 127 

exist, though our present meaill of observation are too im- 
perfect to detect them ; but, as I have before stated, this 
objection lies against the distinct functions of the different 
parts of the spinal column, as well as against the distinct 
functions of the different parts of the brain. 

Sir Charles Bell remarks of the brain, that "whatever 
we observe on one side, has a corresponding part on the 
other ; and an exact resemblance and symmetry is pre- 
served in all the lateral divisions." This statement is not 
rigidly correct. There is a general correspondence be- 
tween the parts on the opposite sides of the brain, but not 
an ■ exact symmetry.' But the symmetry is as great as 
between corresponding parts in any part of the body, as 
between the bloodvessels of the left and right arms, for in- 
stance, or between the muscles of the two opposite sides. 
On talking over this matter with Dr. Conolly, he remarked 
that, as the convolutions were nothing but folds, and as the 
folding was merely for the sake of packing, a little dif- 
ference in the folding probably has no influence on the 
cerebral functions. 

I have said that we cannot point out the exact line of 
demarcation between any two organs in the brain. It must 
not be inferred from this that no difference can be discover- 
ed between various parts, for the convolutions of the pro- 
pensities are larger than those of the sentiments, and these 
last are larger than those of the intellect, so that if you were 
to cut out an organ of a propensity from an adult brain, and 
present it to a skilful phrenologist, he would have no diffi- 
culty in distinguishing it from an organ of intellect. 

The different parts of the brain are brought into com- 
munication with each other, by means of a number of com- 
missures. At the base of the cleft between the two hemi- 
spheres of the brain, is a large body which consists of fibres 
passing from one hemisphere to the other, and uniting 
them : this is called the corpus callosum. Ten years ago I 
pointed out a convolution of the brain lying above the corpus 



128 STRUCTURE OP THE BRAIN. 

callosum, extending from the bottom of Concentrativeness 
to the organs of the intellectual faculties. This convolu- 
tion Mr. Solly has recently shown to be a commissure, 
uniting the posterior and anterior portions of the brain. 
This gentleman describes nine commissures — six trans- 
verse, two longitudinal, and one oblique. The superior 
commissure which unites the anterior and posterior parts 
of the brain, I showed to a number of physicians both in 
this city and Philadelphia. Dr. McClellan of Philadelphia 
confessed that before my arrival in that city he used to de- 
ride phrenology, mentioning in particular to his class, that 
no communication was found to exist between the anterior 
and posterior portions of the brain. He found, however, 
that he had been laughing in ignorance of the existence of 
the superior longitudinal commissure. But he had the 
rare magnanimity to confess it to his medical students. 

The capital or top of the spinal marrow is called the me- 
dulla oblongata. Here we notice three bodies on each 
side, constituting what are called the corpora pyramidalia ^ 
the corpora olivaria, and the corpora restiformia* 

The corpora pyramidalia are a continuation of the ante- 
rior or motory tract of the spinal marrow. They are fi- 
brous, decussate at their lower extremity, proceed upward 
through the Pons Varolii, escape from its upper border, and 
the greater number passing still upward form the anterior 
and external bundles of the crura cerebri and exterior part 
of the corpora striata, and ultimately expand into the infe- 
rior, anterior, and exterior convolutions of the anterior and 
middle lobes of the brain. A number of fibres of the corpora 
pyramidalia pass into the middle and posterior lobes, and a 
number into the cerebellum. We shall immediately see how 
beautifully this arrangement of the motory fibres, corrob- 
orates phrenological doctrines. 

The intellectual faculties are situated in the anterior lobe 
of the brain. They enable man to perceive objects that 
exist, their qualities, and relations, and when acting to>- 



STRUCTURE OF THE BRAIN. 129 

gether they constitute will. We have seen that the intel- 
lectual organs spring from the corpora pyramidalia which 
arc at the top of the motory tract of the spinal marrow. 
Here, then, is a direct relation between the convolutions 
which manifest ?r/7/, and the motory tract which executes will. 

The corpora olivaria and corpora restiformia spring from 
that column of the spinal cord which is devoted to sensa- 
tion. The former pass upward into the Pons Varolii, and 
form the posterior and interior parts of the crura; thence 
through the great posterior ganglion, and expand partly 
into the convolutions of the anterior lobe lying on its upper 
surface, towards the mesial line, partly into the superior 
convolutions towards the mesial line of the middle lobe; 
but chiefly into the convolutions of the posterior lobes. 
The latter ascend and form the chief part of the cerebellum, 
but a portion enters into the composition of the posterior 
lobes of the brain. The distribution of these fibres is also 
in beautiful harmony with the doctrines of our science. 

The convolutions of the middle and those of the posteri- 
or lobes of the brain, manifest the feelings. These, as we 
have seen, spring chiefly from the corpora olivaria. The 
functions of the cerebellum is to manifest the instinct of 
reproduction, which is also a feeling; and the cerebellum 
springs, as I have just said, from the corpora restiformia. 
Now these bodies constitute the top of the sensory tract of 
the spinal marrow. 

We see, then, that while the intellectual organs are form- 
ed of fibres connected with the motory tract, the organs of 
the feelings are formed of fibres connected principally with 
the sensory, but partly with the motory tract. 

The arrangement of structure, by which the organs of 
feeling are supplied with fibres in direct connection with 
the motory tract, is another manifestation of that harmony 
which subsists between phrenology and anatomy, rightly 
understood. Each feeling manifests itself by means of the 
muscular system. Thus fear, rage, or any other feeling 



130 THE TUTAMINA OF THE BRA/N. 

communicates great energy to the muscles of voluntary 
motion. Again, each feeling impresses certain peculiar 
motions, called its natural language, on the muscular 
nerves : thus Self-esteem, when predominant, gives the ten- 
dency to carry the head and body reclining backward. 
Hence, again, we see the necessity of a direct communica- 
tion between the feelings and nerves of motion.* 

We come now to the question — Can the size of the cere- 
bral convolutions be ascertained by inspection of the head 
during life ? 

The brain is embraced by three membranes : the pm ma- 
ter and tunica arachnoidea, both very thin, and the dura 
mater, which is thin but strong, and adheres strongly to the 
inner surface of the skull. The brain enclosed in these 
membranes so exactly fills the interior of the skull that a 
cast in plaster of the interior of the skull, is a fac simile 
of the brain covered by the dura mater. 

The skull is the bony case : this is composed of three lay- 
ers — a very compact one internally, a less compact one ex- 
ternally, and a cellular layer between, called the diploe. 

* During Mr. Combe's first visit to New York, a number of medical 
gentlemen expressed a strong desire to witness the dissection of the 
brain, according to the method pursued by Gall and Spurzheim. I took 
occasion to mention this to Mr. Combe, who, with the utmost readiness, 
offered to demonstrate the brain, and gave me leave to form a class of 
medical gentlemen to witness the dissection. Brains were provided, 
and at the appointed time, the lecturer demonstrated to a class, several 
members of which were medical professors, the fibrous character of the 
brain, the decussation of the fibres of the corpora pyramidalia, their pas- 
sage through the Pons Varolii, and their ultimate expansion into the 
anterior and middle lobes. In like manner he traced the fibres which 
rise from the corpora olivaria and corpora restiformia to their respective 
expansions. He traced the optic nerves to the anterior pair of the 
corpora quadrigemina. Showed the various commissures of the brain, 
and the manner of unfolding its convolutions. There was a general 
expression of satisfaction and gratification, and an acknowledgment 
from all present, I believe, that they had seen some things which they 
had never before had the opportunity of witnessing. 






THE TUTAMINA OF THE BRAIN. 13] 

Now the external surface of the skull corresponds almost 
exactly with the internal, except in a few points, which I 
shall mention. The departure from perfect parallelism, 
where it occurs, is limited to one-tenth or one-eighth of an 
inch. Again, the integuments or coverings of the skull lie 
close to its surface, and are so uniform in thickness as to ex- 
hibit its true figure. Thus, then, there is, in general, no ob- 
stacle to the discovery of the form of the brain by the form of 
the skull or head. 

The skull is very thin at the orbital plates, and at the 
squamous portion of the temporal bone : it is thick at the 
ridges of the frontal and occipital bones, but this is always 
the case, and therefore presents no difficulty. 

One part of the brain, however, does some- 
times present a difficulty. I refer to a cavity 
called the frontal sinus. It lies above the 
nose and is formed between the external and 
internal surfaces of the skull. The size of this 
sinus varies. But recollect that it only inter- 
feres with five organs — Form, Size, Weight, 
Individuality and Locality. Again, below the age of twelve 
it does not exist: and, as the five organs before mentioned 
are generally very active before that age, the sinus cannot 
interfere with our observation of them before that period. 
The sinus, therefore, presents no difficulty in the way of 
our discovering the functions of these organs, if we study 
subjects below twelve years of a^e. The opponents con- 
ceal this fact. After this age it appears, gradually en- 
larges, and after twenty may present some difficulty to the 
observer.* 

Look at this skull for yourselves. You see that the par- 
allelism of the outer and inner surfaces is almost complete. 
— You will observe the same in this, and this, and this — 

* I was the first to maintain that it was impossible for us to determine, 
with exactness, the development of certain convolutions, by the inspec 
tion of the external surface of the cranium. Gall iii. 22. 




132 ON DISEASED SKULLS. 

in short, in all healthy skulls. Observe this skull — it is" 
that of a boy twelve years old — you see the sinus does not 
exist. In this we have it of average size ; and when of 
this size, no difficulty is presented. 

Recollect, phrenologists pretend not to tell the power of 
an organ when the brain or skull is diseased. They make 
their observations on healthy individuals in the prime of life a 
It is therefore utterly futile to bring against us morbid speci- 
mens. In disease of the brain the inner table of the skull 
sometimes recedes, and not the outer, the space between be- 
ing often filled up with bone, rendering the skull very thick 
— occasionally enormously so. Here is a skull as irregular 
on the surface as the sea ruffled by the wind ; but then it is 
the skull of a very old man. I know a gentleman of Bath 
eighty-six years of age, in whose skull a like change has 
taken place. Such cases are not uncommon and I am at a 
loss to account for them, since they seem not to result from 
disease, as the faculties of the gentleman I refer to are 
healthily manifested. This skull is very thick and irregu- 
lar : it belonged to a dragoon in the British service, who 
became insane, and nine months afterward killed himself. 
In this case we find the frontal sinus very wide — nearly 
half an inch. 

Dr. Sewall of Washington, to whom, when in that city, I 
was indebted for many acts of kindness, has published a 
work against phrenology, almost entirely taken up with a 
description of diseased skulls. Now, as I remarked to him, 
his work is no more anti-phrenological than it is anti-geo- 
logical or anti any thing else. To the frontal sinus I shall 
again allude, when I come to the range of faculties which 
may be interfered with by its size. In the mean while, 
however, bear in mind that there is a great difference be- 
tween the possibility of discovering the functions of an or- 
gan and of applying this discovery practically in all cases, 
so as to be able, to predicate the exact degree in which 
every particular mental power is present in each individual. 



THE GROWTH Of THE SKULL. l&J 

Now we have seen that before twelve no impediment to its 
observation exists. Again, in after life, if the skull he de- 
pressed in this part, no error can bo committed in stating 
the subjacent organs as small ; for if the sinus be larger than 
it seems, the error will be on the side of the phrenologist. 
The only cases which at any time can be productive of er- 
ror, are those in which the sinus causes a protuberance 
without, to which the brain does not correspond within. 
But even here, it is possible, in general, to distinguish be- 
tween external appearances produced by a large develop- 
ment of the frontal sinus, and those indicating large devel- 
opment of the organs. In the first, they are generally abrupt 
and ridgy ; in the second, they present a rounder swell, and 
follow the direction of the organs as delineated on the busts. 

We may be asked how it is that an infant's skull, such as 
the one I hold, can be enlarged to the size of an adult skull. 
The explanation is this : Two processes are ever going on 
in the system — deposition and absorption — by the first of 
which new particles are laid down, and by the second old 
ones are taken up. The skull, then, is a strong, but not 
an adamantine barrier. It shields the brain by its powerful 
structure, yet for ever changes to accommodate itself to the 
size of its noble occupant : for it is worthy of remark that, 
throughout organized nature, the hard parts yield to the soft. 
Thus large lungs produce a large chest — not a large chest 
large lungs. So the skull is formed to the brain — not the 
brain to the skull. At first the brain is covered by a mere 
membrane, in which bone at length begins to be deposited. 
The deposition commences at particular points, and bony 
rays shoot out in all directions, just as you have seen in the 
formation of ice. It is not till some time after birth that 
ossification is complete. The skull is formed into eight 
bones, which unite at their edges, and become dovetailed 
together. The lines of union are called sutures or seams. 

The extent to which the head may be enlarged is seen 
from this enormous skull, which belonged to an individual 

12 



134 ON THE EMPLOYMENT OF THE WORD BUMP. 

whom I saw at St. Thomas's Hospital, who was affected 
with water in the brain. His faculties were sound, but his 
head was so heavy that he could not support it. 

In commencing the study of phrenology, individuals 
generally become very diligent feelers of their own heads. 
They search about, and finally they rest upon this large pro- 
tuberance behind the ear. They are in amazement at the 
size of the ' bump,' as they are pleased to call it. Then 
they wonder whether it is a good bump or a bad one. Now 
this protuberance is a mere bone, called the mastoid pro- 
cess, and is for the attachment of muscles. It has no rela- 
tion whatever to the brain, and may therefore be not unapt- 
ly styled the Ass's bridge, over which incipient phrenologists 
have to pass. 

With regard to this word ' bump,' which has long been 
supposed to contain a whole volume of wit within itself, 
allow me to remark that I think its use is sanctioned by 
neither correctness of language, nor sound philosophy. It 
is often used, too, in a low, contemptuous sense. It is evi- 
dent to me that the brain is the work of God, and eminent- 
ly displays His goodness and wisdom. In talking of it, we 
ought, therefore, to use philosophical and respectful lan- 
guage. What would you think of a man's taste who, before 
speaking of the functions of the eye, should say — " Come, 
let us say something about the blinkers" .?— or, as an intro- 
duction to a demonstration of the functions of the stomach, 
should say — " Come, let us talk about the bread-basket" ? 
Yet, such expressions are on a par with — " Come, let us 
talk about the bumps" 

In concluding this part of my subject, let me show you 
how unimportant a difference of one-tenth or one-eighth of 
an inch is in the thickness of the skull. This is the head of 
Joseph Hume, M. P. ; this of Dr. Chalmers. The general 
size is nearly the same in both ; yet, in the region of Ideali- 
ty, Chalmers' head is an inch and a quarter wider than 
Hume's. Contrast this head of General Wurmser with that 



PHRENOLOGICAL EVIDENCE ESTIMATIVE. 



135 





of the Hindoo in the regions of dcstructivcness and com- 
bativeness. Contrast these three heads in the region of 
iinnncss : there is a difference of more than an inch. Con- 
trast this 
head of an 
idiot with 
that of Dr. 
Gall : how 
vast the dif- 
ference ! — 

We evidently need not trouble ourselves about very minute 
shades. 

As to authority, the best is on our side. Magendie says 
that " the only way of estimating the volume of the brain in 
a living person, is to measure the dimensions of the skull. 
Every other means, even that proposed by Camper, is un- 
certain. " Sir Charles Bell, Cuvier, Monro, Blumenbach, 
and others, hold similar language. That the form of the 
brain can be ascertained by the form of the head may then 
be considered as established. 

But it has been objected that the whole method of phre- 
nologists is empirical, that we cannot weigh or measure 
either an organ or its manifestation. We plead guilty to 
the charge, and freely admit that the two elements in our 
method of investigation are both, in their own nature, esti- 
mative. But then, we affirm that if an observer possess an 
average endowment of the observing and reflective faculties, 
he may, by due practice, learn to estimate both develop- 
ment and manifestation with sufficient precision to lead him 
to positive conclusions. Phrenology rests on the same kind 
of evidence as the practice of Medicine. Diseases are judged 
of by the symptoms or appearances which they present. The 
knowledge of what organs are affected ; of the degree to 
which they are affected, and of the extent to which medi- 
cines act on them, depends entirely on estimative evidence. 
The same general laws of evidence must necessarily ap- 



136 AMATIVENESS. 

ply to the study of phrenology as of medicine. The men- 
tal manifestations are neither ponderable nor measurable 
any more than the capacity for pain or pleasure, or the 
powers of hearing or sight. We estimate the degree to 
which these susceptibilities and capacities are possessed by 
different individuals, and regard our knowledge as substan- 
tial ; so we estimate the force of mental manifestations by 
the exercise of observation and reflection, and must neces- 
sarily do so, or remain for ever ignorant of mental science. 
Again, I have just demonstrated that differences between 
the form of particular organs, and between their size, when 
large and small, are so palpable that to deny the possibility 
of distinguishing them, in favourable cases, is perfectly ab- 
surd ; and in proving science, we are not only entitled but 
bound by the dictates of common sense, to select the sim- 
plest and most striking cases as best calculated to bring 
truth to light. Those individuals, therefore, who object to 
the evidence on which phrenology is founded, appear to 
me completely to misunderstand the nature of the inquiry. 
To deny the possibility of estimating the size of the cere- 
bral organs and mental manifestations, is as absurd as to 
deny that we can estimate whether any feature of the body 
be large or small, or whether a person be blind, near- 
sighted or sharp-sighted. 

I shall now proceed to describe the particular organs, 
premising that the faculties are divided into two orders — 
Feelings and Intellect ; the feelings into two genera — 
Propensities and Sentiments. Of the Propensities I 
shall now treat: 

1. AMATIVENESS. 

To learn the situation of this organ, feel on the middle 
line toward the base of the skull at the back part of the 
head, and you will find a small bony projection named the 
occipital spine. Amativeness is situated below that point 
and between the mastoid processes. The size of the organ 
is indicated by the extension of the inferior surface of the 



AMATIVENESS. 



137 



occipital bone backward and downward, or by the thick- 
ness of the neck at these parts between the ears. Its large 
size gives great peripheral expansion to the neck from the 
ears backward. In infants, the cerebellum is the least de- 
veloped of all the cerebral parts, forming but from one-thir- 
teenth to one-twentieth of the weight of the brain, whereas 
at adult age it constitutes from one-eighth to one-sixth. In 
infants, the part of the neck corresponding to the cerebel- 
lum appears attached to the middle of the base of the skull ; 
towards puberty it begins to expand behind. This part is 
generally more developed in males than in females. 




3. O Represents a large development of the cerebellum downwards. 

4. In this skull the distance between M the mastoid process, and the 
ipine oftlie transverse ridge of the occipital bone is large, although the occi 
vital swelling O docs not droop as in the preceding skull. 

12* 



138 AMATIVENESS. 

The function of the cerebellum is to manifest the sexual 
feelings. In this bust of Dr. Hette the development is 
very small, as you perceive, and the manifestation of feel- 
ing corresponded. Compare the bust of Hette with this of 
Mitchell and this of Dean — how enormous the develop- i 
ment in these last ! — both of whom were executed, Mitchell a 
for murdering a young woman whom he had seduced, Dean n 
for murdering a child without any rational motive, and un- 
doubtedly under the influence of diseased cerebral action, h 
occasioned by disappointed love. You see here the head i 
of the Rev. Mr. Martin, in which it is small. This is the fi 
head of Linn, the parricide, in which it is very large. The in 
head of Gall, as you perceive, shows a very large cerebel- r; 
lum — and it seems to have been the only faculty *vhich he r: 
abused. 

This faculty exercises a very great influence on the 
character. Boys before the age of puberty are generally i 
undeferential, and even rude, toward the other sex, but after k 
that age they become kind and attentive. It softens all the tfc 
harsh feelings of our nature, and increases the force and k 
activity of all the kindly and benevolent affections towards > tei 
the opposite sex. 

It is thought by many that the functions of this organ can- 
not be approached. But it appears to me that " to the pure i bk 
all things are pure," and that there is no function which of 
does not present an aspect, in which it may be made to n 
manifest the wisdom and goodness of the Creator. 

Some think it best that young people should be kept in 
entire ignorance of the function of this organ. This is an 11 
opinion to which I can by no means subscribe. The 
organ of Amativeness is the largest of all the mental organs, 
and being endowed with natural activity, it fills the mind 
spontaneously with emotions and suggestions the manifesta- 
tion of which may be directed and controlled, but which 
cannot be prevented from arising, even though you shut 
youth out entirely from the world. The question is not, 



AMATIVENESS. 139 

therefore, whether the feeling shall arise or not — over that 
we have no control — but whether it shall be placed under 
the guidance of an enlightened understanding, or be with- 
drawn from the eye of reason, and allowed to riot in all the 
fierceness of a blind animal instinct. The former course 
appears to me the only one consistent with reason and 
morality, and the one which should be invariably adopted. 
Messrs. Flourens and Magendie think they have discov- 
ered, by inflicting injuries on the cerebellum, that it serves 
for the regulation of muscular motion. But from these 
experiments no certain conclusions are deducible. The 
infliction of injury on one part of the nervous system de- 
ranges other parts — and hence it is not the way to deter- 
mine the functions of any. Again, Mr. Solly has discov- 
ered a column of fibres which passes from the motory tract 
of the medulla oblongata to the cerebellum. Now when 
these experimenters sliced this part, they commenced at the 
distal extremity of the motory fibres and destroyed them to 
the medulla oblongata. By thus injuring and irritating the 
motory tract, no wonder that convulsions followed ! The 
cerebellum is composed, as I have before said, of fibres 
connected with the motory as well as the sensory tract of 
the spinal column. It is an organ of feeling, but also influ- 
ences voluntary motion by instinctive impulses. Injuries 
of the cerebellum may therefore cause irregular or con- 
vulsive muscular movements without being the regulator of 
such movements. That the cerebellum may manifest 
other functions than that of Amativeness is not, however, 
impossible ; but that this faculty occupies the largest part 
of it is unquestionable.* 

* "The cold in clime are cold in blood ; 

Their love can scarce deserve the name." Byron's Giour. 

An opinion is somewhat prevalent that the amative feeling increases 
n strength from the poles towards the equator ; but facts are at variance 
vith this hypothesis. No people manifest amativeness more strongly 
nan the Esquimaux, Grecnlanders and other northern nations. 



1 40 PHILOPROGENITIVENESS. 



LECTURE IV. 

2. PHILOPROGENITIVENESS. 



[I have omitted such parts of the lecture as refer to those 
facts , concerning this organ, which are more fully detailed in 
the Introductory Essay from page 26 to page 41 inclusive, 
To that essay I refer the reader. A. B.] 



i 



This faculty has been confounded with that of benevo- 
lence, but it is often strong when benevolence is very weak, 
and weak when benevolence is very strong. When the 
organ is large it renders the office of rearing children plea- 
sant, nay delightful, even when they belong to others. Sir 
Walter Scott remarks that among children there is a sort of 
freemasonry, by which they detect almost instantly those 
who pay attention to them merely that they may be pleas- 
ing to the parents, and that they recognize by intuition 
those who take real pleasure in their society. 

This faculty is frequently abused ; people often pamper 
and spoil children instead of training them rationally. 
They forget that this is a blind feeling ; indeed, all the pro- 
pensities are blind — and by proving this, phrenology will 
confer one of its greatest boons on man. 

This faculty sometimes takes a direction that has subject- 
ed its possessors to ridicule. In the United States, all ladies 
who have arrived at adult age seem to be married ; but in 
my own country, this (alas !) is not the case ; and among 
unmarried ladies we see the amiable feeling now under 
consideration lavished upon lap-dogs, cats or birds, these 
delicate and little animals being used as substitutes for 



PHILOPROGENITIVENESS. 141 

children. This practice is often ridiculed ; but recollect 
that it is the manifestation of a feeling which under more 
favourable circumstances would have rendered them excel- 
lent and devoted mothers. 

Here is the skull of a negro ; this of a Scotch Highland- 
er ; this of a Charib from the island of St. Vincent ; see 
how largely the organ is developed — and these people 
strikingly manifest love of children. When at Brussels, I 
talked with a woman concerning the behaviour of the 
Scotch highlanders who had been billeted in her house, du- 
ring the war. She said they were as gentle and affectionate 
in the house as they were brave in the field, and that they 
were very fond of children. See what a large development 
in the skull of the poet Burns — and how beautifully is the 
feeling manifested in his poetry ! In the Esquimaux it is 
very large ; here is a specimen. Captain Parry says, that 
love of children is almost the only amiable feeling they 
manifest. He met a party of them without food and almost 
dying with hunger ; he relieved them, and the first thing 
they did was to feed their children, not attending to their 
own wants till the little ones were fully satisfied. 

This organ is sometimes diseased. Mental derangement 
i is one of those subjects on which phrenology throws a flood 
of light. Diseased affections of the mind, by reason of 
men's ignorance, have been a source of much anxiety and 
maltreatment. People have known not what to do. Some- 
times terrified, sometimes horrified, sometimes mystified, 
they have had no idea that it was the disease of a material 
organ, which was probably in a state of exalted action, and 
which, like inflammation of the eye, might be got rid of by 
a proper remedial course. 

A lady in whom this organ is very large, told me that she 
frequently dreams of children. She described one dream 
which imparted to her the most exquisite delight, in which 
she seemed to have her whole lap full of babies, which were 



142 NATURAL LANGUAGE. 

smiling, sprawling, raising their hands and tossing about in 
the most interesting manner imaginable. 

I now come to what is called the Natural Language of 
the Organs. Up to this time you will perhaps grant that 
I have been talking with a show, at least, of reason ; but 
now you will probably set me down as fanciful and absurd. 
I am prepared for this ; but I doubt not that you will ac- 
knowledge its truth before the end of the course ; for as 
most of you have some predominant organ, and as each 
organ has a language of its own, though you may think 
my description of the natural language of those organs 
which in you are weak to be ridiculous, you will recognize 
the language of your own strong organs, and be convinced 
that there is truth in it after all.* 

The law of action, as laid down by Gall, is, that the mo- 
tions are all in the direction of the seat of the organs. 
That natural language does exist all will allow when they 
reflect that by mien, walk and gesture the actors of panto- 
mime are enabled to operate powerfully on the feelings 
without uttering a word. The natural tendency of Philo- 
progenitiveness when predominantly active, is to throw the 
head backward. 

Near Manchester I saw a young woman bring her hus 
band's breakfast to him, and sit by the road-side till he ate 
it, spending the time in caressing her child. Her whole 
manner was expressive of the highest delight. She kissed 
and fondled the infant, pressed it to her bosom, and then 
she threw back her head, repeating the same action several 
times. This was the natural language of this feeling. 
It would have formed a most beautiful subject for a painter. 

* Pantomime is the universal language of all nations, and of all ani- 
mals. There is no beast, there is no man who does not learn it; there 
is no beast nor man who does not understand it ; it accompanies lan- 
guage and strengthens its expressions ; it supplies the defects of articu- 
late language ; words may be ambiguous, but pantomime never is so- 
Gall v. 266. 



CONCENTRATIVENESS. 143 

The great painters of Italy noticed the same expression, 
and in tkeir representations of the murder of the innocents, 
they place the bereft mothers with their heads thrown back 
and the extreme of agony depicted in their countenances. 

3. CONCENTRATIVENESS. 

This organ is situated immediately above Philoprogeni- 
tiveness, and below Self-Esteem. Phrenologists differ con- 
cerning its functions, therefore I shall not occupy much 
time upon it. Spurzheim, from observing it large in ani- 
mals fond of dwelling in one place, called it lnhabitiveness. 
I observed persons whose thoughts, like clouds, come and 
go without regularity — whose sentences have succession 
without relation. In them I have found the organ very 
small. I observed others, of less mental capacity, remarka- 
ble for continuity of thought, and for the natural relation- 
ship existing between the successive subjects of their con- 
versation. In these I have found the organ large. It ap- 
peared to me, therefore, that its function is to keep two or 
more organs in continuous and simultaneous activity. Dr. 
Hoppe and the Rev. Dr. Welsh agreed with me in this 
view. I have already mentioned that I noticed some years 
ago a convolution of the brain running from the region of 
this organ, near the base of the cleft between the two cere 
; bral hemispheres, and terminating in the anterior lobe, and 
that Mr. Solly has since proved this to be a commissure. 

Dr. Vimont of Paris has made some observations which, 
if established, will reconcile the views of Dr. Spurzheim 
and myself. Having directed his attention to birds which 
live on fish, and which hover over water, watch with in- 
tense fixedness and then dart downward as though they 
were arrows rather than living beings, and having com- 
pared them with ducks and other animals which practice 
no such concentrated watchfulness and action, he found 
in the first a great development of the lower part of this 
region, and in the others great deficiency. This he calls 



. 



144 ADHESIVENESS. 

Concentrativeness. He found that this organ did not oc- 
cupy the whole space, but left a region immediately above 
it and below Self-Esteem which, he is convinced, apper- 
tains to the faculty of Inhabitiveness. If this view be cor- 
rect, and I am pretty well satisfied that is, then are Dr. 
Spurzheim's views and my own reconciled. 

4. ADHESIVENESS. 

This organ is situated at the middle of the posterior edge 
of the parietal bone, on each side of the lower part of Con- 
centrativeness and the upper part of Philoprogenitiveness. 
Dr. Gall was requested to mould the head of a lady who 
was a model of friendship. He did so, and found two 
large symmetrical protuberances, one on each side. The 
lady had suffered great mutations of fortune. She had been 
rich, and then poor — again rich, and again poor; but 
amid all these changes she remained firmly attached to her 
friends. The idea naturally suggested itself that this part 
might be the organ of the disposition to attachment. 
Many subsequent observations confirmed the conjecture. 

You will seldom find this organ in an isolated protuber- 
ant state. Its large size is generally indicated by the 
breadth and fullness of this region. Compare these two 
skulls ; this is the skull of an Esquimaux in which Ama- 
tiveness and Philoprogenitiveness are very large, and Ad- 
hesiveness small ; this is the skull of a Swiss, in which all 
three are very large. 

Those in whom this organ is large feel the instinctive ten- 
dency to embrace and cling to the object of their affections. 
Boys manifest it by their attachment to dogs and rabbits, 
and in girls, to the feeling of Philoprogenitiveness it adds 
the hug of affection which they bestow upon their dolls. I 
have seen the poet Moore, and know this organ to be large 
in him > and his poetry breathes its very spirit. 



ADHESIVENESS. 145 

"The heart, like a tendril, accustomed to cling, 

Let it grow where it will cannot flourish alone; 
But will lean to the nearest and loveliest tiling, 
It can twine with itself, and make closely its own." 

Again — how it glows in the following lines ! — 

" The heart that loves truly, love, never forgets, 
But as truly loves on to the close, 
As the sun-flower turns to her god as he sets, 
The same look that she turned when he rose." 

In general this organ is larger and the faculty stronger 
in woman than in man; and the extreme ardour and con- 
stancy of their attachment may be attributed to this circum- 
stance. In them alone can friendship be found in the full- 
ness of perfection. Taking advantage of this proneness to 
attachment — this consecration of the heart to the object of 
affection — some men, for the gratification of a most despi- 
cable vanity, or from a worse motive, sport with this beauti- 
ful trait of female nature — conduct which should subject 
them to double infamy, but which is too often allowed to 
pass without censure. The seducer glories in his success- 
ful villany, while the wronged one is mourning in utter 
wretchedness, over ruined hopes and a blighted name. 

We often find strong attachment subsisting between per- 
sons of very different mental characters, in whom there are 
many points of repulsion ; but the strength of this feeling 
serves as a bond of union. There are husbands and wives 
in whom the attracting and repelling forces are so balanced 
that they can be happy neither together nor apart. They 
are for ever quarreling and making matters up ; they part 
• and unite, part again and again unite ; again fly off, and 
ain come together. They are a complete puzzle to their 
ends, who can place no dependence on their assertions or 
testations. In these cases, Adhesiveness will generally 
be found largely developed in both parties. This produces 
instinctive attachment ; but other discordant organs will be 
found in their heads, which produce reciprocal repulsion. 

13 



146 ADHESIVENESS. 

This faculty is the bond of union among men, and givea 
rise to society. It is found large in many animals ; but 
there are some, as the fox and magpie, which live in the 
married state, that is, they are attached for life; some, 
again, as the dog, live in society, but are not attached for 
life. Spurzheim thought attachment and attachment for 
life to be modifications of the same faculty. Gall inclined 
to think them distinct faculties ; and Dr. Vimont thinks he 
has proved this to be the case, and considers the region 
which we ascribe to philoprogenitiveness as comprising two 
organs — love of young in the middle, and on each side 
attachment for life. 

This organ is sometimes so active in oxen and horses, that 
they become sick, when deprived of their accustomed com- 
panions. This diseased condition of the organ in man is 
called nostalgia. Many are unaware of the strength of this 
feeling till they have occasion to leave home. When away 
from their friends and companions they feel a yearning to- 
ward them, and a longing and craving to be again at home. 

Amativeness, philoprogenitiveness and adhesiveness form 
the group of domestic affections, on the due regulation and 
proper exercise of which so much of our happiness depends. 

The natural language of this faculty is to embrace and 
cause the organs to approach, as you see in this plate of two 
little girls, and this of a girl and dove. When a dog or cat 
is under the influence of this faculty, and wants to show 
great attachment, it will rub this part of the head against its 
master's leg.* When two persons meet in whom this or- 
gan predominates, they feel an involuntary attachment 
toward each other springing up in their minds, unless their 
other faculties be very incongruous. Those who have it 

* There is a beautiful group of Castor and Pollux, in which we see 
their arms resting on each other's shoulders, and these friends pressing 
together their organs of attachment. In the Madonna aulapin of Raphaef, 
Mary presses this region of her head against the corresponding region 
of the head of the child. Gall, v. 272. 



COMBATIVENESS. 147 

large give the hand a hearty shake on meeting ; those who 
have it small hardly press the hand at all. With the first, 
absent friends are ever present ; they think of them with a 
warm glow of affection. With the last, out of sight out of 
mind. The organ was large in Burns, and his poetry is 
full of its spirit. It was large in Mary Mac Innes the mur- 
derer, and she strongly manifested the feeling. A person 
to whom she was firmly attached had sent her a pocket- 
handkerchief with his name written on one corner, and also 
half an orange, requesting that she would eat it on the 
scaffold in token of their mutual affection, he having eaten 
the other half the preceding morning at the corresponding 
hour. She held the corner of the handkerchief, on which 
his name was written, in her mouth, all the night preceding 
her execution. When seated on the drop she took the orange 
from the turnkey, saying, u Tell him that I die perfectly 
satisfied that he has done all in his power for my life, and 
that I eat the orange as he desired me. May God bless 
him. Say to him that it was my dying request that he may 
avoid drink and bad company, and be sure never to be late 
out at night." She forgot eternity in the ardour of her at- 
tachment. 

In 1836, Dr. , had a patient whom he examined 

after death, and in whom he found the lungs extensively 
diseased. This was conceived to be a sufficient cause of 
death, and the examination proceeded no further till the 
brother of the deceased asked him with eagerness what they 
had found to be the condition of the brain ; and when he 
learned that no examination had taken place, he requested 
that they would proceed to examine it. They did so, and 
to their astonishment found twenty-seven abscesses, eleven 
in the cerebellum and ten or eleven more in the posterior 
lobe, there being but one in the intellectual region and it 
•vas in the organ of Tune. The brother then stated his 
•eason for making the request he had. His brother, he 
mid, had been a resident of London, where his family then 






148 COMBATIVENESS. 

resided, and that he was formerly very much attached to 
his family ; and that when he first came to Edinburgh he 
manifested about them the usual anxiety, but that before 
he died attachment to them was utterly lost, and that he 
would hardly have mentioned them in his will if he had not 
been urged to do so. 

5. COMBATIVENESS. 

The organ of this faculty is situated immediately back- 
ward and upward from the ear. Gall discovered it by col- 
lecting together a number of the lower classes of society, 
studying their characters and comparing their develop- 
ments. He found such as were remarkable for being bra- 
voes to have this part large, such as were noted for cow- 
ardice to have it very small. Subsequent observations es- 
tablished the discovery. In Vienna animal combats were 
frequently exhibited, and one man was so intrepid that he 
often presented himself alone in the arena to sustain the 
attack of a bull or a wild boar. In him Gall found it very 
large. He found it very large in a young lady who had 
repeatedly dressed herself in male attire and maintained 
battles with men.* 

Dr. Brown speaks of this faculty. " There is," says he, 
"a principle in our mind which is to us like a constant protec- 
tor, which may slumber, indeed, but which slumbers only at 
seasons when its vigilance would be useless ; which awakes, 
therefore, at the first appearance of unjust intention, and 
which becomes more watchful and more vigorous in pro- 
portion to the violence of the attack which it has to dread." 
" Courage," says Dr. Johnson, " is a quality so necessary 
for maintaining virtue, that it is always respected, even 

* In the first interview I ever had, in my travels, with a devoted ama- 
teur of cock-fighting, he thought he was confiding to me a great secret, 
by telling me that, by sight alone, he could distinguish good fighters from 
poor ones, and pointing out, as the distinguishing mark, a great breadth I 
of the head, a little in front of the ears. This man had no knowledge of | 
my discoveries. Gall iv< 27. 



GOMBATIVENESS. 149 

when it is associated with vice." Sterne's Uncle Toby is 
a personification of great conibativeness, benevolence and 
integrity. 

This faculty produces active courage, the instinctive pro- 
pensity to oppose, and gives that boldness to the mind which 
enables it to remain undaunted amiS opposition ; a consid- 
erable endowment of itjs, therefore, indispensable to all 
great and magnanimous characters. I knew a lady in 
whom the moral sentiments were large and Conibativeness 
very small,* who confessed that she felt the want of a proper 
development of this organ as a great deficiency in her char- 
acter. She lacked the courage to oppose even manifest 
wrong. She felt that she should have been a much more 
useful woman with a proper endowment of Conibativeness, 
and sometimes shed tears at her own pusillanimity. A 
man without proper Conibativeness is always trodden 
under foot. 

This organ was very large, as you may see by this head, 
in General Wurmser, (1) who defended Mantua against Bo- 
naparte. Fighting was his chief delight. His intellect was 
by no means remarkable, and Napoleon said he gave him 
more trouble than ten better men. By his sudden and 
fierce attacks, made in defiance of all military principles, 
he kept the French in a continual state of alarm. It is 
v< tv large, as you may see, in King Robert Bruce, and all 
know how strongly he manifested the faculty. Let the 
rfkull of either of these heroes be compared with this of a 
(>\ lonese boy.(2) 

2 





13* 



150 COMBATIVENESS. 

The faculty is of great service to the barrister, and causes 
his energies to rise in proportion as he is opposed. Com- 
bined with Destructiveness it inspires authors with the love 
of battles. Sir Walter JScott, who possessed this com- 
bination, rose above his usual energy when describing the 
fight, the slaughter, arlB the shouts of victory. From this 
sympathy of authors with w*grrior,s, a successful butcher is 
too often elevated to the rank of aliero, and success in arms 
considered^ glorious without reference to the merits of the 
quarrel. t • * 

This faculty, large, gives the love of contention. Thus 
you find persons who dispute every thing ; they say it is 
the love of truth which instigates them, but it is in reality 
the love of quarreling. It is reported of a native of Aber- 
deen, that he was so contentious that when a friend met 
him and said "this is a fine day, sir," he replied, u tut man 
who is finding fault with the day." When Combativeness 
is large and undirected by the moral sentiments, it becomes 
a great disturber of domestic, peace: the hours which 
should be devoted to pure and quiet enjoyment are embit- 
tered by strife and contradiction. 

This organ it is for the gratification of which the prize 
fights of England are enacted. It is generally very large 
in those who murder from sudden impulses, as Haggart 
and Mac Innes. It is usually more developed in man 
than in woman, but sometimes it predominates in the lat- 
ter, and gives her a bold, forward air. It gives girls a ten 
dency to romp. You see this organ very large in the statue 
of the ancient gladiator. 

Those in whom it is large are very pugnacious when in- 
toxicated, though at other times they may restrain the 
propensity within proper bounds. Here is the skull of a 
native of one of the British Isles, where the people have 
the propensity so strong, that it is said in song ' when 
one meets his friend he for love knocks him down.' In it 
the organ is very large. An Irish gentleman told me that 



COMBATIVENESS. 151 

at their fairs it was not uncommon for one of his countrymen 
after becoming excited by whiskey, and unable any longer 
to repress his pugnacity, to range along the booths till he 
could see a head poking out somewhere, when lie would 
give it a blow which would bring out its owner in quick 
time, then a regular fight would en* ie. — Contrast this head 
with that of the Hindoo, in whom combativeness is feeble 
— what a difference you perceive ! Bull-dogs are always 
broad here, greyhounds narrow. When horses are narrow 
behind the ears they are shy, when broad they are bold ; 
when broad here and low in the forehead they are vicious ; 
when broad here and high in the forehead, they are both 
bald and good-natured. 

In our intercourse with men the knowledge of the mode 
in which this faculty operates is most useful. Knowing that 
such men constantly desire to oppose, the best plan is to state 
your opinion or arguments as clearly as possible, and if your 
meaning is perverted, your expressions distorted and the 
the question embarrassed by extraneous matter, to drop the 
argument and leave your opponent in quiet possession of 
the field. This will be to him a real punishment and give a 
better chance for your views to sink into his mind. 

This organ is often diseased. Pinel says, "A maniac 
naturally peaceful and gentle in disposition, appeared to be 
inspired by the demon of malice during the fit. He was then 
in an unceasingly mischievous activity ; he locked up his 
companions in their cells, provoked and struck them, and 
at every word raised some new quarrel and fighing." I have 
before related a case in which diseased manifestation was 
attended with pain in the organ. 

The natural language of this propensity is to throw the 
head backward and to one side, as in the attitude of boxing ; 
the painters have noticed this. It gives a cutting expres- 
sion to the lips, and a harsh thumping sound to the voice ; 
Madame de Stael noticed this in Napoleon, and remarked, 
that when excited every word he uttered seemed to contain 



152 COMBATIVENESS. 

a shot. Boys who have it large, stand up boldly when fight- 
ing, and look their adversary in the face* Those who have it 
small rarely fight, and when they do they generally poke their 
head as soon as possible to the breast of the adversary. It 
has been objected to this view of the natural language, that 
men put themselves into the described attitude because it is 
the best position both for attack and defence. We reply 
that boys who are quite young instinctively assume this at- 
titude without in the slightest degree considering its pro- 
priety ; and that this attitude is best is an inevitable con- 
sequence of its being natural.* 

* A clerical friend handed me the following note, I insert it entire. 

Constitit in digitos extemplo arrectus uterque,. ^ 

Braehiaque ad superas interritus extulit auras, 
Abduxere retro longe capita ardua ab ictu ; 
loimiscentque manus manibus, pugnamque lacessunt. 

JEneid, B. K. verse 42& 
" Both on tiptoe stand, at full extent ; 
Their arms aloft, their bodies inly bent ; 
Their heads from aiming blows they bear afar, 
With clashing gauntlets then provoke the war.' 

Dryden* 
This seems to me a pretty and very correct illustration- of the natural 
language of " Combativeness." As such it maybe worth rememberings 
It occurs in Virgil's description of the encounter between Dates, and 
Entdlus. T. J. S. 



DESTRUCTIVENESS. 153 



LECTURE V. 
6. Destructiveness. 

This organ is situated immediately above, extends a 
little backward and forward from the external opening of 
the ear, and gives to that part breadth and elevation in pro- 
portion to its size. In graminivorous animals, only a small 
portion of the brain lies behind the external opening of the 
ear; while in the carnivorous, a considerably larger mass 
is situated there. This is well shown by exhibiting the dif- 
ference between this, the skull of a young lion, and this, the 
skull of a roebuck. This is the skull of a fox; a sheep ; 
a cat ; a dog ; a rabbit ; a savage baboon. You notice 
that those of the carnivorae are broadest just over the ear, 
whereas those of the herbivorse are broadest higher up and 
have little brain behind the ear. You notice too that the 
former are all much broader in proportion to their size 
than the latter. By the difference in this part of the skull 
alone, these two classes of animals are readily distinguish- 
able from each other. 

Dr. Gall early noticed this, but drew no particular con- 
clusion from it, till one gentleman sent him the skull of a 
parricide, and another the skull of a highwayman, who, 
not content with robbing, murdered his victims. On com- 
paring these, he found them both very wide here. This 
fact, in connection with his previous observations on the 
skulls of animals, led him to conclude, that in this region 
Mghtbe situated an organ which gives the disposition to 
kill. At first his mind revolted at the idea ; but finding, 
on still further examination, that nature spoke unequivocal- 
ly, he was forced to believe her. This organ he called by 



154 DESTRUCTIVENESS. 

a French name — instinct du muertre — which signifies pro- 
pensity to kill, but which was ignorantly translated into 
English by the word murder. This blunder was the cause 
of infinite abuse of phrenology and Dr. Gall. Can it be 
possible, say declaimers, that God has implanted such a 
propensity in the human mind ? I observe, in the first 
place, that others besides phrenologists have acknowledged 
its existence. Lord Kaimes names it the " appetite for 
hunting." It has been said, indeed, that the pleasure of 
hunting is in the pursuit, and the consequent emulation; 
but I have asked hunters whether, if some machine could 
be invented to fly before them as the game now does, they 
would feel the same pleasure. The answer has always 
been in the negative : some animal must suffer, or little 
pleasure ensues. 

Poets and authors who delineate human nature are 
familiar with this feeling. Sir Walter Scott describes its 
p. 1) use as f* the ruffian thirst for blood." The author of 
Recollections of the Peninsula says, that not only soldiers, 
but others, " talk with an undefined pleasure about car- 
nage" I have met with youngmenof good moral qualities 
in whom the impulse was restrained, but who confessed 
that to smash and slay would give them great momen- 
tary gratification. In them the organ was decidedly large. 
Besides, in regarding the scene of creation, we perceive 
all living beings destined to destruction ; and this has ever 
been the case. The history of the earth informs us that vari- 
ous races of animals and vegetables have successively been 
destroyed. The works of art are subject to the destroying 
hand of time ; man himself is destined to destruction. 
Moreover, he has received a stomach fitted to digest 
animal food, and a bodily system which such food is fitted 
to nourish and preserve. To gratify this appetite, he must 
deprive animals of life by sudden destruction, as their flesh 
is unwholesome if they die of old age or disease, and ani- 
mals bent on destruction surround him. To place him 



DESTRUCTIVEM --. 



155 



on earth, therefore, without an organization fitting him for 
these circumstances of his condition, would have been any 
thing but indicative of supreme wisdom and beneficence. 

Combativeness gives us courage to face danger and to re- 
sist aggression. Destructiveness gives us the desire and 
disposition to hurl destruction on the aggressor. Those in 
whom it is large take a kind of pleasure in seeing scenes of 
suffering, at the sight of which those in whom it is small 
would be agonized. Thus humane and even cultivated in- 
divuals experience pleasure in witnessing executions. They 
would not put a man to death, but if one is to be put to 
death at any rate, they think it no harm to look on and enjoy 
the spectacle. It is always found large in good operating 
surgeons : medical gentlemen in whom it is small, though 
possessed of all the requisites of knowledge and skill, would 
dislike — nay, would be unable — to operate. We see, then, 
that this organ is absolutely necessary even to perform the 
behests of Benevolence. I knew a clergyman who had 
very small Destructiveness, and very large Benevolence, who 
could not bear to see a person bled. His son was taken 
ill with inflammation of the lungs : the physician was sent 
for, and proceeded to bleed immediately, telling the father 
that he should want his assistance ; the minister screwed 
up his courage, remained till the operation was performed, 
and then fainted away. 

Compare the size of Destructiveness in Tardy the pirate, 

(1) with its size in the Cingalese boy.(2) This organ is 

1 





156 DESTRUCTIVENESS, 

always large in cool and deliberate murderers, suclias John 
Bellingham, whose head I now show you. He murder- 
ed Perceval, the English Minister, in 1819, by deliberately 
shooting him in the lobby of the House of Commons. 
In this the organ is very large, it is the skull of the woman 
Gottfried, who, though in easy circumstances, murdered, in a 
series of years, both her parents, her children, two hssbands, 
and six other persons, by small doses of arsenic ; yet she 
would stand by their death-beds seemingly in an agony of 
grief, but in reality gloating over their protracted torments. 
See the size of the organ in the head of Hare, who assisted 
Burke to murder sixteen persons for the sake of selling their 
bodies for dissection, and who, after his Moody deeds, slept 
as undisturbedly as though he had been merely killing a pigr 
This is the head of a man of Belfast who murtfcered his> 
father. The jury that tried him very properly returned, in 
conformity with the evidence, a verdict of insanity. He- 
was accordingly confined to an asylum, from whicfe, after 
some period of correct conduct, he made his escape and 
proceeded to Liverpool, where, for a deed of violence, he was 1 
immediately arrested, and after trial transported to New 
South Wales, I expect that the next we shall hear about 
him will be, that he has there committed some dreadful deed. 
Contrast these skulls with that of the Hindoo. How 
small this organ is in them in comparison ; and yet it is of 
its average size in these people. The Hindoos are notori- 
ous, for their dislike of putting animals to death.* In some 
parts, indeed, they have hospitals for the reception and 
maintenance of sick and aged animals. Here is the head 
of a Flat-head Indian ; see how large in this region f Here 
is one of a Charm, which is still more developed. In these 
heads yotr will notice that large Destructiveness is combined 
with small reflective and moral faculties. Its large size, in 

* " If a man kills a fish, the magistrate shall fine hi m ten prrms of cow- 
ries." — "If a man kills an insect the magistrate shall fine him one pun of 
Cowriea." — Gentoo Laws, translated by Halbed. C.xvi, Sec. iii. 



DESTRUCTIVENESS. 1 57 

proper combination, is quite compatible with high moral 
character. Here, for example, is the head of Captain Parry, 
in whom it is large, but in whom the intellectual faculties 
and moral sentiments preponderate. It is large, too, in 
Spurzheim, yet he was an amiable philosopher. 

Satire is a combination of this faculty with Wit. It must 
have been large in Byron. It gives point, too, to that sar- 
castic, cutting speech, which is so unpleasant to those who 
are the subjects of it. Some swear with a heartiness which 
others cannot imitate. Destructiveness gives a force and 
energy to their imprecations which those who think swear- 
ing manly, but whose Destructiveness is small, vainly strive 
to imitate ; there is a softness, a roundness about their im- 
precations which completely destroys the eifect. In Par- 
liament, we find some men with Destructiveness and Lan- 
guage very large ; and whose speeches are complete tor 
rents of invective — often of nothing else. Yet after such a 
\ speech, the newspapers are full of laudatory remarks : " such 
energy !" M such torrents of invective I" " such withering 
sarcasm !" For my own part, I no more admire Destruc- 
tiveness manifested in this way, than when manifested by 
blows. 

With due reverence, I must be allowed to say that I have 
noticed preachers in whom this organ is very large dwell 
principally on " the worm that never dies, and the fire that 
is never quenched." They mistake, it seems to me, the 
fervours of Destructiveness, for the inspirations of moral 
eloquence, and, while they gratify the stern, they harrow up 
the feelings of the amiable and susceptible. Phrenology will 
be very serviceable by teaching men the secret fountains of 
their emotions, and that what is gratifying to them is not 
necessarily edifying to others. 

Those in whom this organ is small are often deficient in 
proper indignation. A community of such men would be 
a prey to the profligate and unprincipled. Contumely and 
suffering would inevitably be their portion. If aggressors 

14 



158 DfeSTRUCTIVEtfESS. 

visit a community in whom exists a proper endowment of 
this faculty, destruction is hurled upon their heads, and 
others are kept aloof by the terror which such a manifesta- 
tion of the feeling inspires. 

Great size of this organ and Combativeness inspires men 
with delight in battles. Of this we a short time ago had an 
example in the United States ; the Boundary Question 
was agitated, and every mouth breathed war. The excite- 
ment has passed away, and many are astonished now, as I 
was then, at the violence of their emotions. Phrenology 
indicates the source of our feelings, and shows us that the 
propensities ought never to act as the controllers but mere- 
ly as the servants of reason and the higher sentiments. I 
met in Edinburgh a young American who said that the 
United States equalled any European nation in every thing 
excepting military glory, and that a great war, which would 
afford them an opportunity for acquiring it, would be a na- 
tional blessing. I told him that his organs of Combative- 
ness and Destructiveness were large, and that he was mere- 
ly mistaking the impulses of his own propensities for the 
wishes and interests of his nation.* 

When Destructiveness is excited by disease, there is an 
exalted manifestation of its function, and a disposition to 
burn, kill and destroy. Violence or murder may be commit- 
ted, and we may hang the person on account of his malady. 
A man in a village in Scotland was observed to enter a cot- 
tage and presently to come out and walk deliberately away. 

* The activity of Destructiveness is very evident in the following nar- 
rative of Adanson. " What struck me most was the shooting of mon- 
keys, which I enjoyed * * * I do not think there ever was better sport * * 
Nothing could be more entertaining when several of them jumped to- 
gether on the same bough, than to see it bend under them, and the hinder- 
most to drop down on the ground ; while the rest got further on, and others 
were still suspended in the air. While this game was going on, I con- 
tinued to shoot at them, and though I killed no less than three-and-twenty in 
less than an hour, and within the space of twenty fathoms, yet not one 
of them screeched the whole time." p. 316. 



DESTRTTTIVENKSS. 1 59 

He was thought to bo a beggar, and no further notice was 
taken of the circumstance till an boat or two afterward, 
when a neighbour entered and found the old woman who 
resided there lying on the floor, with her skull cleft in two 
by means of a spade. It is an important fact that not the 
slightest article had been stolen. The man was pursued, 
taken, and brought to trial. The evidence was such that 
no doubt remained on my mind that the prisoner was a 
monomaniac. I mentioned this to Mr. C, the Solicitor 
General for the crown, a very worthy and amiable man, 
but he could not understand the force of my representa- 
tions. A petition was sent to the crown that the man might 
be confined in a mad-house instead of being hanged, but 
the petition was refused. The day before that appointed 
for his execution, Mr. C. asked me if I still considered the 
man insane. I replied, " Certainly I do." At 4 o'clock 
in the morning of the day on which he was to be execu- 
ted, he sent for the Mayor of the City for the purpose of 
making some important confessions. The Mayor went to 
his cell, when the man commenced the relation of a whole 
list of atrocious murders. He said he had killed a child at 
such a time in such a street of Edinburgh — a man at such 
another place — and so he kept on, enumerating six or 
eight murders, in the most circumstantial manner. The 
Mayor sent for the Superintendent of the Police and related 
the man's confessions, asking him if they could be true. 
The Superintendent said it was impossible, no such mur- 
ders had ever been heard of. They were then convinced 
that the man was staring and glaringly mad ; but at that 
time no person in Scotland had power to stay the execution, 
so the poor maniac was taken out at 8 o'clock the same 
morning and hanged. I met Mr. C. some time afterward, 
and asked bin what he then thought of the case. " The 
fact is," said he, u it was an ugly business, and the less that 
lid about it the better " But if by relating the circum- 
i^ces I can draw attention to the subject and prevent re 



160 DESTRUCTIVENESS. 

petitions of such manifest wrong, the relation will be ser- 
viceable. Like cases are very numerous in the annals of 
criminal jurisprudence. 

Some say, Granting that a man is mad, if he be inclined 
to commit murder, he is best out of the way. But madness 
is a disease ; and it would be quite as just and humane to 
hang a man for having the yellow fever, because he was 
liable to infect his neighbours. Besides, it makes a vast 
difference to a man's family whether he be hanged or con- 
fined as a lunatic. The latter may be borne with resigna- 
tion, but the former overwhelms with a feeling of mortifica- 
tion and a sense of infamy. Justice, then, not only to the 
maniac, but to his relatives and friends, demands that we 
should be careful in our judgments. And let no man treat 
this subject as one which does not concern him. None of 
us know but that ourselves or some member of our families, 
or some one in the list of our friends and associates, may 
soon be affected in like manner. 

Individuals who commit murder or set fire to property 
without rational motive, often ascribe their actions to the 
temptation of the devil; they say that he never ceases to 
whisper in their ears exhortations to mischief. Diseased 
activity of this organ, filling the mind with the desire to 
destroy, probably gives rise to such impressions. 

Destructiveness is the great fountain of passion ; its natu- 
ral language is to give a sort of wriggling motion to the head, 
like that of a dog in the act of worrying. The foot is 
stamped, the face wears a scowling expression, and the 
body is drawn up towards the head. In Dr. Chalmers it is 
large ; and when operative in his speeches, he clinches 
every thing with a blow. When preaching against sin, it 
seems as though he were endeavouring to pound it out of 
mankind. In this drawing, by a very able artist who pro- 
proses visiting this country, Mons. Edouart, you see it 
strongly manifested in a scene of matrimonial strife : the 
woman is daring her husband, and he stands with his head 



ALIMENTIVENESS. l(jl 

bent forward, his fists clenched, but retracted, his counte- 
nance peculiarly expressive of the power which he has to 
exercise, iti order to prevent passion from boiling over and 
relieving itself by blows. If, in friendly converse with a 
person in whom this organ is large and Secretiveness small, 
one happens to touch on some irritating topic, in an instant 
the softness of Benevolence, and the courtesy of Love of 
Approbation, are gone, and the hoarse growl of Destructive- 
ness ushers in a storm. 

6a. Alimentiveness. 

That the appetite for food is an instinct not referable to 
any of the recognized faculties of the mind early occurred 
to Gall : but neither he nor Spurzheim discovered its situa- 
tion. Observations made by various individuals have proved 
that there is in man an organ of appetite for food, situated in 
the zygomatic fossa. 

The stomach is to this organ what the eye is to the sense 
of seeing. Cut off the communication between it and the 
brain and the appetite will be lost. A dog was kept with- 
out food, till he was ravenous with hunger ; the pneumo- 
gastric nerve was then divided, and the sensation left him 
at once. A number of cases have occurred, in which a 
gluttonous appetite existed during life, and these convolu- 
tions were found, after death, ulcerated. Dr. Caldwell 
thinks the burning desire of the drunkard to arise from 
disease of this organ, and recommends it to be treated with 
bleeding, cold water, quiet, and attention to diet. 

That this is the organ of Alimentiveness has been con- 
firmed by Vimont, and since coming to this country I have 
seen two strong proofs of it in the collection of Dr. Morton 
of Philadelphia. One the skull of a Dutch Admiral, who 
died at Java in consequence of excessive eating, in which 
the organ is very much developed, but it is still larger in 
in this, the skull of a convict of New South Wales, who 

14* 



162 LOVE OE LIFE. 

inveigled seven people into the woods, at various times, 
murdered and ate them. 

In the Annals of Physiological Medicine, an account is 
given of a girl who from infancy exhausted the milk of all 
her nurses and ate four times as much as other children. 
At the Saltpetriere she ate eight or ten pounds of bread 
daily as her ordinary quantity ; but she had fits of hunger, 
two or three times a month, during which she devoured 
twenty-four pounds of bread. She went one day into the 
kitchen of a rich family where a dinner party was expected, 
and devoured the soup prepared for twenty guests, together 
with eight pounds of bread ! On another occasion she drank 
all the coffee prepared for seventy-five of her companions 
in the Saltp6triere ! Her skull is said to be small, but the 
propensities predominate, and Alimentiveness is largely de- 
veloped. Many similar instances are recorded by medical 
writers. In these cases the food passes undigested. You 
may generally tell those in whom this organ is large by the 
interest they take in the table. This organ has been 
marked as probable, but I now consider it established. 

6 b. Love of life. 

That this feeling is manifested in different degrees by dif- 
ferent individuals is certain, the bravest men being some- 
times excessively attached to life, while the most timid are 
often indifferent to death. I knew a gentleman of superior 
talents, but not remarkably happy, who declared that his 
attachment to life was such, that he would rather live in tor- 
ment for ever than suffer annihilation. Another, who was 
present, and a more fortunate man, said he could not con- 
ceive the feeling which would lead to such an expression. 
Dr. Combe had a patient who showed extraordinary anxiety 
about death. In her he found an enormous development 
of one convolution, at the base of the middle lobe of the 
brain, and the skull showed a corresponding very deep and 
distinctly moulded cavity. From the situation of the con 



8ECRETIV1 M l(j;j 

volution its development cannot he ascertained during life. 
In the Hindoos carelessness about the continuance of life 
is wonderful. If fatigued on a inarch, they ask no greater 
boon than to be allowed to lie down and repose, with every 
chance of being devoured by the wild beasts, or of being 
overtaken and slain by the pursuing enemy. That species 
of hypochondria which consists in morbid fear of death, is 
probably produced by a disease of this organ and Cautious- 
ness. Love of life is strongly manifested in the scene be- 
tweeu Rob Roy's wife and Morrison. 

7. Secretiveness. 

This organ is situated exactly in the centre of the lateral 
part of the cranium, and lies immediately above Destructive- 
ness. Dr. Gall, in early youth, was struck with the char- 
acter and form of the head of one of his companions, who 
was distinguished for cunning and finesse. Although a 
staunch friend, he experienced great pleasure in deceiving 
his school-fellows ; his natural language was absolutely 
expressive of cunning, and such as we see in cats and dogs 
when in playing they want to give each other the slip. At 
a subsequent period Gall became acquainted with another 
who was not only cunning but perfidious, and his temples 
swelled out in the same manner. At Vienna he became 
aequainted with a physician having a similar develop- 
ment who often told Gall that he knew no pleasure equal 
to that of deceiving ; he carried his tricks so far that the 

I Government warned the public, through the medium of the 
public prints, to beware of him. From these facts Gall 
concluded that there is in the human mind, a primitive ten- 

I dency toward cunning, and that its organ is situated in the 

I region before described. By a great number of observations 

' this conjecture was fully confirmed. 

The various faculties of the mind are liable to involuntary 
activity from internal causes, as well as from external ex- 
citement. Acquisitiveness inspires with strong desire for 



164 SECRETIVENESS. 

wealth, Language for utterance, Tune for music. If outward i « 
expression were given to these feelings as they arise, social I k 
intercourse would be disfigured with a rude assemblage of 
gross or ridiculous improprieties. There needs some ever- ji 
prompting feeling to curb these instinctive impulses, until 
the judgment shall decide upon the propriety of utterance. 
This curb is supplied by Secretiveness. 

Secretiveness is an essential ingredient in a prudent char- d 
acter ; it serves as a restraint upon ourselves and a shield ■ 
against the prying curiosity of others. ' When Napoleon,' 
says Sir Walter Scott, 'thought himself closely observed, j* 
he had the power of discharging from his countenance all " 
expression save that of an indefinite smile, and presenting 
to the curious investigator the fixed eyes and rigid features 
of a marble bust.' ' A fool,' says Solomon " uttereth all his fj c 
mind ; but a wise man keepeth it till afterward." Scott's 
character of Louis XI in Quentin Durward is a fine delinea- 
tion of the predominance of this feeling. " He was," says 
he, " calm, crafty, and profoundly attentive to his own in- 
terest. He was careful in disguising his real sentiments 
and purposes from all who approached him, and frequently 
used the expressions, that the king knew not how to reign « 
who knew not how to dissemble ;' and that * for himself, if 1" 
he thought his very cap knew his secrets, he would throw 
it into the fire.' Like all astutious persons he was as de- 
sirous of looking into the secrets of others as of concealing 
his own." 

Those who have Secretiveness very large, look upon life 
as one great stratagem, and upon cunning as wisdom. 
Pope, according to Lady Montague, played the diplomatist 
about cabbages and turnips ; and Johnson says of him that 
he hardly drank tea without a stratagem. I knew a gentle- li 
man, a resident of a village west of Edinburgh, in whom it I 
was very large, and who was so desirous of doing every I 
thing secretly, that when he had to go to Edinburgh he would I 
walk west out of the village, without coat, and by a turn 



SECRETIVENl 165 

come round to the Edinburgh road, where a person would 

be waiting with the absent part of his elollii n<jr. He thus 

went to Edinburgh without any of the villagers knowing, 

»nnd, I suppose, without any of them caring. It is said that 

,a tailor lived next door with equal secretiveness. He long 

Mvished to know how this tailor passed his time, but could 

not learn till one night he fixed a ladder, got to the top of 

| the house, removed two or three tiles, and saw him at work 

in his garret. 

Secretiveness is large in the English, who seclude them- 
selves, surround their houses and gardens with high 
avails, and are reserved about their history or affairs. It is 
mi all in the French, who are very communicative, and pass 
nost of their lives in public. When Secretiveness is large, 
oined to small Conscientiousness, it prompts to lying; 
oined to large Acquisitiveness, it prompts to stealing. Mer- 
chants in whom it predominates, and whose circumstances 
ire declining, frequently conceal their difficulties from their 
amily till bankruptcy bursts upon them like an explosion. 
They then plead as an excuse for their conduct a regard for 
he feelings of their relatives, but the real springs of their 
conduct are overweening Self-esteem, which hates to 
icknowledge misconduct or misfortune, and inordinate 
Secretiveness, which is instinctively averse from candid 
•ommunication. 

Humour is a combination of Wit and Secretiveness. 
lence the English and Italians, in whom this organ is large, 
ire very fond of it. The French, in whom it is small, think 
umour buffoonery, and cannot appreciate it. Secretive- 
ess gives authors the power of hiding the plot till its de- 
louement ; its size in La Fontaine is enormous. It is 
arge in artists and actors, and enables the latter to conceal 
heir real characters and put forth the natural language of 
he assumed one ; without this the words might be repeated, 
»ut they would not be charged with the required feeling. 
This is the head of Ann Ross, in whom, as you see, 



166 ACQUISITIVENESS. 

Secretiveness and Firmness are very greatly developed. 
She practised various deceptions for the purpose of exciting 
sympathy and obtaining relief; but her impositions being 
discovered she was discarded. She was shortly afterward 
admitted into Richmond Hospital with her wrist severely 
ulcerated. Mr. Richard Carmichael and others attended 
her, but no remedial course seemed to afford relief. At 
length the disease became so bad that amputation was 
proposed,and submitted to without flinching. On examin- 
ing the arm afterward it was found full of needles which 
she had purposely stuck there. It is said that she appeared 
much more mortified at the discovery of the trick than 
afflicted by the loss of her arm. They did not inform her 
of the discovery till after she had recovered, and when they 
did, it struck her to the ground. I saw her after the ampu- 
tation had been performed. 

The natural language of Secretiveness is a furtiveness 
of look, a soft manner of speech, from suppression of other 
faculties or propensities, a close mouth, and eyes partly 
closed, leaving as small a chink as possible, enabling the 
owner to look out but preventing the world from looking in. 
Here is a French drawing called ' Hush :' the mouth is 
shut and the finger upon the lip, but the designer, being ig- 
norant of natural language, has left the eyes wide open. 
Nature never makes such mistakes. Observe the portrait 
of Fouch6, Napoleon's Minister of Police, with his firmly 
closed lips and half shut eyes. 



8. Acquisitiveness. 



is- 



This organ is situated above the fore part of Secretiv 
ness, reaching, however, further forward. To prevent mil 
takes bear in mind that it is backward and downward from 
Causality. 

Love of property, say the metaphysicians, is merely a 
habit originating in the love of enjoyment, and afterward 
transferred by association to the means of procuring the 



ACQtlMI IV I NESS. 167 

enjoyment — which is at rational as to say that a man's logi 
of a good dinner becomes, by long indulgence, love ofd 

knife and fork. Lord lvaiines, however, who wrote from 
ervation, rCCOgoisea this faculty. l Man, 1 says be, ' i- a 
boarding animal, having an appetitt tor storing up things 
of use.' Gall discovered it by comparing the heads of the 
peasants, whom he used to invite to his house, and who 
made him their confidant. He found some notorious for 
petty larcenies, and proud of their superior savoir-faire — 
others, who would rather starve than even partake of what 
their companions had stolen : in the first he noticed this 
part of the head to be much developed — in the last, to be 
comparatively small. 

There are many periods of life in which we cannot la- 
bour, as sickness and old age. Now, if we were content 
[with satisfying our present wants, what would become of 
us in the time of need? This faculty prompts us to accu 
mulate, to store our surplus. 

This is the skull of Tardy, the notorious pirate. You 
see this organ immensely developed. This is the head of 
Heaman, executed at Edinburgh for piracy and murder. 
You perceive a great development of this organ. He saw 
a number of dollars put on board the ship in which he 
sailed ; they excited his cupidity and haunted his imagina- 
tion so much, that he did not rest until he had persuaded 
his ship-mates to assist him to take possession of the vessel. 
They did so, but were unable to manage it, and consequent- 
ly it ran ashore on the coast of Scotland, and they were im- 
I mediately arrested. Owing to its large size in notorious 
robbers it has been called the organ of theft. This is just 
as appropriate as to call the stomach the organ of gluttony. 
i 
Thieving manifest abuse of a propensity obviously 

and benevolent purposes. 
You have all heard of Robert Owen. That gentleman 
maintains that the institution of private property is wrong. 
Now, in luo head this organ is very small, and benevolence 



168 ACQUISITIVENESS. 

large. And he has expended a property of £90,000 ster- 
ling, or between $400,000 and $500,000, in attempting to 
carry out his schemes of benevolence. 

When Acquisitiveness and Benevolence are both large, 
the individual will show his kindness by personal exertions, 
by giving advice, by imparting the results of experience, 
rather than by giving money. He may acquire, however, 
for the very purpose of giving, and have a hand open as 
day to melting charity. 

Acquisitiveness is large in the Anglo-Saxon race, and 
this accounts for the eager pursuit and vast accumulation 
of wealth for which it is distinguished ; we see around us 
overwhelming evidence of its activity. For untold ages 
this vast country was inhabited by Indians, — and a few 
personal ornaments and war instruments were almost the 
whole extent of their accumulations — the British race ap- 
peared — and cities rose, and roads were constructed, and 
the comforts, conveniencies and elegancies of life were 
gathered, where the wild beasts had been chased by men 
almost as wild. 

This propensity takes its direction from the other facul- 
ties. Combined with Destructiveness, it leads to crimes 
of violence for gain ; combined with Secretiveness, it indu- 
ces crimes of fraud ; combined with large Ideality, Con- 
structiveness, and Form, it stimulates to collections^^ 
works of art, as painting, and statuary ; with large Even^J 
tuality, to collections of books, especially of history, me- 
moirs and travels ; with large Individuality, to collections 
of shells, insects and other specimens of natural history ; 
with Veneration large, to the collection of antiques ; com- 
bined with large Self-esteem, it produces a disposition to 
acquire and hoard; combined with large Love of Approba- 
tion, it leads to admiration of the rich, and, if Conscientious- 
ness and Benevolence be deficient, to contempt of the poor. 

Acquisitiveness is small in the skulls of the Charibs, 
who never manifested any propensity to theft, and who 



ACQUISITIVENESS. 169 

always insisted, says Rochester, in his History of the An- 
tilles, when robbed, that the crime was committed by a 
Christian. It is large in the Kalmucks, who are incorrigible 
thieves. Dr. Spurzheiin tells us that a young Kalmuck 
brought to Vienna by Count Stahrenberg became melan- 
choly because his confessor had forbidden him to steal. 
Seeing this he was permitted to do so on condition that he 
should give back what he had stolen. The young man 
profited by this permission, stole the confessor's watch 
during high mass, but joyfully returned it when mass was 
over. 

Acquisitiveness when predominant is never satisfied. Its 
pleasure consists in acquiring — and this explains a puzzle 
in human nature which has attracted much attention. 
Men, on retiring from business, instead of finding that re- 
pose which they sought, that comfort and enjoyment toward 
which they had long looked forward with glowing anticipa- 
tion, are restless and dissatisfied. Man's happiness consists 
in the activity of his faculties ; and when this organ is large 
the other organs become habituated to work with it in as- 
sociated activity. Taken away from the business which 
has constituted the daily stimulus of mind, there is a cra- 
ving which nothing in retirement can satisfy. But when 
the moral and intellectual faculties predominate, the indi- 
vidual can glide easily and pleasantly from business to pri- 
vate life. 

Sometimes this organ is so large that individuals in goad 
circumstances give w r ay to the temptation to steal. A bar- 
of Edinburgh was convicted of stealing books — and 
similar cases are on the records of all courts. A gentleman 
\ in good circumstances always pocketed, if possible, some 
silver spoons when he dined out. He was at last detected 
by the handle of a soup-ladle peeping out of his pocket. 

This organ becomes disordered. Esquiml mentions a 
Knight of Malta who became addicted to tin ft in nse- 
quence of disease, and who not unfrequently refreshed kiiu- 

15 



170 ACQUISITIVENESS. 

self ill coffee houses, but instead of paying, put the cup, 
saucer and spoon in his pocket and walked away. Acrel 
mentions a young man who manifested an irresistible pro- 
pensity to steal, after receiving a wound in the temple. 

The organ is found in animals, and they have notions 
of private property. After a winter's absence, the stork 
will return to the same steeple, the swallow to the same 
roof, and the nightingale to the same nest which they before 
occupied. Vimont remarks that it is generally large in the 
fox, ourang-outang and cat. He mentions two cats, in 
one of which it was small, and in the other large ; the first 
would not steal except when very hungry ; the other would 
do so on all occasions. He once gorged it with as much 
fish as it would eat, and then left it in the room where a 
piece of veal was on the table : and coming in shortly after, 
he found that the cat had stolen it. 

It is difficult to describe the natural language of this fa- 
culty ; but after once seeing it well manifested it is not soon 
forgotten ; when predominant it gives a lean, hungry, mean 
aspect, and, when combined with Secretiveness, a one- 
sided, creeping, sneaking look, half-shut eyes and closed 
mouth. To use a common expression, such a man seems 
as if he could skin a flint. His hands often go out at the 
side as if bent upon grasping something. 



CONSTRUCTIVENESS. 171 



LECTURE VI. 



9. CONSTRUCTIVENESS. 



This organ is situated at that part of the frontal bone 
which lies behind and above the superior and outer angle 
of the eye, immediately above the sphenoido-temporal su- 
ture, and before Acquisitiveness. In the brain it occupies 
the posterior part of the anterior lobe. Dr. Gall discovered 
it by noticing that men distinguished for mechanical genius 
are very wide in this region. After this discovery some 
gentlemen of Vienna presented to him a person concerning 
whose talents they solicited his opinion. He told them thi : 
he ought to have a great tendency toward mechanics. 
They then told Gall that he had been examining the fa- 
mous painter, Unterbergen, and expressed dissatisfaction 
at the decision ; but the painter acknowledged that the 
Doctor was correct — that he had always had a passion for 
mechanics, and that he painted only for a livelihood. IJe 
also took the party to his house, where he showed them 
many machines and instruments, some of which he had in- 
vented and others improved. Besides, Constructively s is 
an element in the art of painting. 

Dr. Barclay used to exhibit to his pupils the skulls of the 
lion and other carnivorous animals, and ridicule the Phre- 
nologists for ascribing the narrowness of this region in those 
animals to their deficiency in Constructiveness. "The 
lion, gentlemen," he would say, " has very strong temporal 
muscles, for the purpose of empowering its jaws to masti- 
cate flesh and bones : now it is evident that the play of these 
muscles compresses the head in this region, and causes this 



1 72 CONSTRUCTIVENESS. 

remarkable narrowness." This seems plausible, but had 
the Professor carried his observations far enough, he would 
have found that the form of head alluded to occurs in the 
foztus of carnivorous animals, and cannot, therefore, be the 
effect of the action of their jaws on hard substances. Fur- 
ther, the beaver eats through pretty strong logs of timber 
with its teeth, and its temporal muscles are strong, yet the 
head is very broad in this region as you may see in this 
skull, and on putting my finger within, I find a hollow cor- 
responding with the external protuberance. 

The temporal muscle covers this organ and part of Ac- 
quisitiveness, and differs in thickness in different persons. 
It is therefore necessary to estimate its thickness in the liv- 
ing head, by feeling at the muscle while the individual 
moves his lower jaw as in biting. 

To construct, means to put detached materials together 
so as to make a single object. This faculty, however, 
seems to be a tendency to fashion in general, which may be 
done by putting materials together, or by chipping off frag- 
ments, or by moulding, or by drawing lines and laying on 
colours. It does not invent : but merely fashions or con- 
figurates, though when large it stimulates the understand- 
ing to invent what will employ it agreeably in constructing. 
It takes its direction from the other faculties. Combined 
with large Weight, it leads to machine-making; with 
Ideality and Form, to statuary ; with these and Colour, to 
painting. 

Compare these heads : in this of Franklin, it is small ; in 
this, of Canova, very large. The development is very small, 
as you see, in the New-Hollanders, and of all mankind they 
are the least constructive. When visited by Capt. Cook 
they were naked, built no houses, and had no implements 
of agriculture, fishing or hunting. They were destitute, in 
ehort, of every art which can add comfort or decency to life, 
lepending for a subsistence on spontaneous vegetation, and 
the fishes which are left by the tide among the rocks. Com- 1 



CONSTRUCTIVENESS. 173 





[1] Ancient Greek. [2] New Hollander. 

pare it with this of an ancient Greek [1] or with this of an 
Italian: the difference in favour of the latter is enormous! 
This Italian skull known to be at least two hundred years 
old, was supposed to be that of Raphael, and was preserved 
as such in St. Luke's Academy at Rome ; but as Raphael's 
skull has been recently discovered, objectors say that this 
mistake refutes phrenology. All that they can make of the 
case, however, is, that it did not belong to Raphael, but as 
they cannot tell to whom it belonged, they cannot specify 
what talents or disposition its owner possessed. We see 
here large organs of Amativeness, Constructiveness, Imita- 
tion, and Ideality ; faculties by which Raphael was distin- 
guished. If the objectors could show that the real owner 
of the skull did not manifest these faculties, this would be a 
fact against Phrenology ; but while his character is un- 
known, the skull is merely a specimen of the development 
of particular organs and affords no evidence either for or 
against Phrenology. Compare the head of Napoleon, in 
whom Constructiveness was small, with the head of Brunei, 
the celebrated engineer of the Thames Tunnel, and the in- 
ventor of machinery for making blocks by means of steam for 
the rigging of ships. Here is the head of Sir Wm. Her- 
schell, in whom it is very large, and the construction of a 
superior telescope was the principal foundation of his fame. 
This organ is of great service to operative surgeons, en- 
gravers, cabinet makers, tailors and dress-makers. . We 
find some men who for want of it cannot mend a pen nor 

15* 



1 74 CONSTRUCTIVENESS. 

sharpen a razor.* You perceive it small in the Rev. Mr 
Martin, who was bred a watch-maker, but taking no interest 
in the employment, he gave it up and turned preacher. 
Lucian and Socrates renounced sculpture for the same rea- 
son. On the other hand, we often find men whom circum- 
stances have prevented from following their natural incli- 
nation, and whose occupations do not lead them to its exer- 
cise, occupying themselves with mechanics as a pastime 
and amusement. An eminent Scotch barrister told me 
that in the very act of composing a pleading on the most 
abstruse questions of law, vivid conceptions of mechanical 
improvements would dart into his mind, and that he often 
had to leave his employment to embody them in a diagram in 
order to get rid of the intruders, or " lay the devil," as he 
said. Leopold I., Peter the Great, and Louis XVI con- 
structed locks. The late Lord President Blair, in whom 
this organ was large, had a private workshop in which he 
constructed pieces of mechanism. 

Constructiveness is sometimes large when Intellect is 
deficient. Thus, some of the cretins of Switzerland are 
employed in making watches. Dr. Rush mentions two 
cases in which a talent for Design had unfolded itself 
during a fit of insanity ; and he adds, that there is no in- 
sane hospital in which examples are not found, of construc- 
tive talent suddenly developing itself in certain patients in 
their insane condition. 

The natural language of this organ is to turn the head 
sidewise, in the direction of the organ. Dr. Spurzheim re- 
marked that women in whom it is large, when entering a 
milliner's shop, turn their heads on one side toward the arti- 
cle they are examining. I have observed that children 
with it large, in learning to write, move their heads with 
their pens, and delight in flourishes ; while those with it 
small hold their heads still and upright, and write stiff 

* Excellence in these operations depends much upon the organ of 
Weight, 



SELF-ESTEEM. 17."> 

crabbed hands. This is a hint to writing-masters to let the 
heads of their pupils alone, for their instinctive movement 

or position will best aid the mind and the hand. 

SENTIMENTS. 

We now come to that genus of the faculties called Senti- 
ments. Some of these are common to man and the lower 
animals ; others are peculiar to man. The former are 
styled the Inferior Sentiments : of them I shall treat first, 
and begin with 

Self-Esteem. 

This organ lies at the crown of the head, just above the 
sagittal angle of the parietal bones. When large, the head 
runs far upward and backward from the ear in this direction. 
It can be readily found by noticing that it lies on the middle 
line, in the superior part of the back of the head, and 
never occupies any portion of the head which looks directly 
upward. 

Man, placed as he is in a universe of worlds, surrounded 
by objects vast and magnificent, would be apt to have an 
overwhelming idea of his own insignificance, and exclaim, 
despondingly, ■ What is man, O Lord, that thou art mindful 
of him r did not this organ give to him due importance 
in his own eyes^ and impart that degree of satisfaction with 
self which leaves the mind open to the enjoyment of the 
bounties of Providence and the amenities of life; and in- 
spire him with that confidence in his own powers which is 
essential to every great achievement, and even to the pro- 
per application of his faculties in the every-day business of 
life. Some have expressed their surprise that there should 
be an organ for esteeming one's self, seeing that humility is 
a virtue ; but they forget that humility is the opposite of 
arrogance, not of proper self-respect. 

Gall discovered this orjran by noticing the head of a be£- 

© J C o 

gar who had inherited a considerable fortune from his father, 
but thought it beneath him to apply to business, either for 



176 SELF-ESTEEM. 

its preservation or for the acquisition of a new one Gall 
moulded his head, and, on examining it with attention, 
found the organ of Cautiousness small, with a small head 
in general, but this part much developed. He pursued his 
inquiries and finally established the organ. 

This cast, which was given to me at Boston, is very long 
upward and backward from the ear. 1 was told that the 
gentleman whose head it represents manifests the feeling 
to a most ridiculous extent. Love of Approbation lies on 
the sides of Self-Esteem. When large it gives remarkable 
fullness and breadth to the upper and back part of the head* 
I will present some heads to you in which these two organs 
are in various states of development. This is the Boston 
head, in which Self-Esteem is large and Love of Approba- 
tion small. This is the head of Mrs. H., in which Self- 
Esteem is small and Love of Approbation large. This is 
the head of the Rev. Mr. Martin, in which both organs are 
large. Here are three others : this is the head of an Irish 
soldier who shot three men ; in it Self-Esteem is very large 
and Love of Approbation very small. This is the head of 
Francois Cordonnier, the French poet, in which Self-Esteem 
is small and Love of Approbation very large. This is the 
head of Sheridan, in which both organs are targe. 

The proper development of Self-Esteem is an essential 
element in a great character ; but when too large it pro- 
duces arrogance, superciliousness and selfishness, and in 
children pettishness and wilfulness of temper. The man 
of inordinate Self-Esteem is a world unto himself, to which 
all things must concentrate ; a standard to which the man- 
ners, morals and opinions of others ought, he thinks, to 
conform. This feeling in predominance is, to a great ex- 
tent, the fountain of that intolerant zeal so frequently mani- 
fested by professing Christians on behalf of their sectarian 
views. " There is no grace," says Cowper, " that the spirit 
of self can counterfeit with more success than a religious 
zeal. A man thinks he is fighting for God, when he is 



SELF-ESTEEM. 177 

merely fighting for his own notions. He thinks he is skill- 
fully searching the hearts of others, when he is only gratify- 
ing the malignity of his own ; and charitably supposes his 
hearers destitute of all grace, that he may shine the more 
in his own eyes by comparison. When he has performed 
this notable task, he wonders that they are not converted: 
he has given it to them soundly, and if they do not tremble 
and confess that God is in him of a truth, he gives them up 
as reprobate, incorrigible, and lost for ever." Cowper was 
a sincerely religious man, and in this description he repre- 
sents that dogmatic Self-Esteem which arrogates to itself 
infallibility and which is found in some individuals of all 
sects. 

There is at this time a great war going on in my own 
country between two religious parties, one of which has 
certain endowments which the other thinks it ought not to 
have. A minister of the established church, making a 
speech at one of their meetings, maintained that the true 
religion should be endowed ; " But," said he, "it is asked 
which is the true religion 1 I answer, ours is the true reli- 
gion." This assertion, which was merely an amusing 
manifestation of Self-Esteem, was received with loud ap- 
plause. 

The person in whom this organ is too small is often un- 
able to pursue even a virtuous course, through diffidence of 
his own judgment. Inferior talents, combined with a strong 
endowment of Self-Esteem, are often crowned with far 
higher success than more splendid abilities joined with this 
sentiment feebly developed. Dr. Adam Smith remarks 
that it is better to have too much than too little ; because, if 
we pretend to more than we are entitled to, the world will 
give us credit for at least what we possess ; whereas, 
if we pretend to less, we shall be taken at our word, and 
mankind will rarely have the justice to raise us to our true 
merit. 

The fancied superiority of self produces the enjoyment of 



178 SELF-ESTEExM. 

detraction. People take their neighbours down a peg that 
themselves may appear a peg higher. Envy is the result of 
Self-Esteem and Destructiveness. The former is offended 
at the superior happiness, excellence, wealth or station, of 
others, the latter hates them for it. This organ renders 
true the saying ' that we always finds something to console 
us for the misfortunes of our neighbours.' It is extremely 
active in society. In my own country the learned profes- 
sions look down upon and despise the merchants as a plod- 
ding set, and the merchants look down upon the manufac- 
turers, the wholesale dealers look down upon the retail 
dealers, and these look down upon the handicrafts — and 
the men of title look down upon and despise all. These 
are strange fantastic tricks, from the spirit of which this 
country is by no means free. 

Predominant Self-Esteem, renders men quite satisfied 
with themselves, and with whatever belongs to them. 
Madame de Stael describes its effect on even a powerful 
mind. He spent his time, she remarks, in admiring the 
astonishing magnificence of his own abilities and attain- 
ments. Men possessing this organ and Benevolence large, 
have a solemn, good-natured, patronizing air, and are apt 
to address others with the ep thets, ' My good sir,' 6 My 
good fellow,' and the like. 

Self-Esteem is large in the North American Indians, who 
are remarkable for pride and personal dignity. Also in the 
English and Americans, and is the foundation of that love > 
of liberty which characterizes this arrogant and turbulent * 
race. It produces that egotism, that proneness to use the 
emphatic I" — c I did this ; /said that' — which characterizes 
the discourse of some people. During the wars of the 
French Revolution, when the British nation was struggling 
for existence against all Europe, excluded from the conti- 
nent, and mostly confined to their island, their patriotism 
was invoked in all modes, and their Self-Esteem continually 
stimulated. They thus learned to consider themselves the 



.SELF-ESTEEM. 179 

most civilized people in the world, and were greatly aston- 
ished on visiting the Continent after the peace, to find any 
great, good and amiable quality as abundant elsewhere as at 
home. This country, from its remoteness from other civ- 
ilized nations, is in a situation similar to that of England 
during the war. It has no standard by which to compare 
itself, except itself, and I see a good deal of the same over- 
estimate of its own attainments which characterized the 
English during the period of their isolation. 

Self-Esteem often restrains men from forming improper 
connections, when combined with large moral organs it in- 
spires with the dislike of every tiling mean and contempti- 
ble in behaviour. Combined with Acquisitiveness, it pro- 
duces a disposition to acquire and keep property. This 
combination with deficient Benevolence constitutes a miser ; 
with Acquisitiveness, Love of Approbation, Ideality and 
Form, it leads people to collect works of art ; with these 
and Colour, to collect paintings ; with Acquisitiveness, Self- 
Esteem and Veneration, to u passion for uniques. It has 
been said that but three farthings were coined during Queen 
Ann's reign. This combination would prompt its posses- 
sor to give one hundred pounds for one of these farthings, 
and one thousand pounds if the other two were destroyed. 
It appears to be the secret satisfaction of thinking that " In 
possessing this article I am superior to, and unrivalled by 
all the world," which gives the love of uniques. 

When diseased, the organ leads patients to consider 
themselves great personages, as kings, queens, generals, 
great poets, or even as God himself. It is larger in men 
than women ; and the former are more liable than the lat- 
ter to insanity from pride. Its natural language is a strut 
in the gait, a lofty carriage of the iiead, and a repulsive 
manner and tone of voice. When much excited, it draws 
the head back. You see the natural language expressed 
in the most striking manner in this caricature of Louis 
XVIII. It was printed at the time that there was a conten- 



180 LOVE OP APPROBATION. 

tion between this King and the people about a charter. 
The French, very reasonably in my opinion, thought that 
France belonged to them, and that they had a right to form 
their own charter. Louis thought that France belonged to 
him, and he out of the plenitude of his condescension 
would bestow a charter upon them. They revenged them- 
selves by drawing him in this attitude, with about as much 
contempt in his face and manner as if he were giving to a 
dog a bone. I mentioned that while the Rev. Edward Ir- 
ving was a student, I examined his head and found very 
large Self-Esteem. This represents him in the pulpit : you 
see he is drawn back in the atttitude of self-importance. It 
is easy to perceive that he is winding up a period in which 
he tells his hearers, that he has done his duty, and that if 
they will go to perdition, their blood will be upon their own 
head. Here is the full-length portrait of a lady : her erect 
and composed attitude indicates the presence of this organ. 
At the close of a battle between two cocks, you- see the 
abasement and exaltation of this organ. The one slinks 
away with his head down, and the other stretches up his 
head and proudly struts while issuing a victorious crow. 
Self-abasement bows the head into a direction contrary to 
that of Self-Esteem, as in this beautiful representation of 
our Saviour, who is supposed to be saying: fc Thy will be 
done.' The prostration of the whole person on the ground 
before Eastern potentates, is meant to indicate the abase- 
ment of self. It is the attitude the very opposite of that of 
pride and self-importance. 

11. Love of Approbation. 

I have pointed out the direction of this organ, and pre- 
sented to you a number of specimens. Dr. Gall met with 
a woman in a lunatic asylum who fancied herself the Queen 
of France. He expected to find the region of Self-Esteem 
largely developed, but instead, there was a distinct hollow 
and a large round protuberance on each side. This at first 



LOVE OP APPROBATION. 181 

caused him much embarrassment. I5ut he soon perceived 
that this woman's insanity differed much from that of men 
alienated through pride. The latter affected a masculine 
majesty, and were grave, calm, imperious, elevated, arro- 
gant. This woman, on the contrary, manifested a restless 
frivolity, an inexhaustible talkativeness, affected forward- 
ness, eagerness to announce high birth and boundless 
riches, promises of favour and honour. She solicited at- 
tention, and strove by every means to obtain admiration, 
From that time he perceived the difference between Self* 
Esteem and Love of Approbation. 

Love of Approbation is the drill-sergeant of society, and 
admonishes us when we depart too widely from the line of 
march. It is the butt, on which wit strikes, and which 
enables ridicule to shame us out of faults and improprieties. 
When excessive, it craves for compliments, is led by fashion, 
and ever asks, before adopting a course of conduct, what 
will the world think of it ? It leads men to give openly, 
that they may receive praise. He in whom it is large feels 
rebuffs keenly, and a thousand things occasion excessive 
pain, which pass over one in whom Self-Esteem is large 
without exciting attention. In the French, Love of Appro- 
bation is predominant, and they think the English cold, 
haughty and arrogant. In the English, Self-Esteem is 
predominant, and they think the French low-spirited, fawn- 
ing and trifling. 

Love of Approbation combined with Benevolence, pro- 
duces politeness and a desire to please; with Self-Esteem, 
love of fame; with Alimentiveness, it leads men to boast 
of feats in eating and drinking, producing the four-bottle 
men, whom Lord Chesterfield in charity calls liars, because, 
if he believed them, he should call them beasts. Com- 
bined with Ideality without large Intellect, it produces love 
of dress and ornament, and ambition to lead the fashions ; 
with Ideality and Constructiveness, love of works of art. 
Combined with Language, it produces a fondness for com- 

16 



188 



LOVE OP APPROBATION. 



position, for love of fame as an author ; with Acquisitive- 
ness, it produces admiration of wealth ; with Combative- 
ness and an otherwise low organization, it forms the bully ^ 
who loves to be considered the best fighter in his neigh- 
bourhood. 

Love of Approbation is the foundation of that love of 
distinction and of titles which is so common in my own 
country, and from which this country is by no means free. 
Your institutions exclude artificial distinctions of rank, but 
I perceive that such titles of honour and dignity as do exist 
among you, are as eagerly sought after, as the titles of 
rank in England. The faculty exists here as everywhere 
else, and it desires such distinctions as it can attain. The 
love of decorations and ornaments, whether these consist 
of stars, garters and medals, or of tattooed faces, bored 
noses and eagles' feathers, springs from this organ. We 
find some men who are apt to captivate us very quickly by 
their attentive and repectful manner, but we often discover 
that all their attentions are bestowed for the purpose of ob- 
taining approbation and praise for themselves. 

Dr. Gall draws with great accuracy the distinction be- 
tween Pride, which is an abuse of Self-Esteem, and Vanity 
which is an abuse of the organ of which we are now treat- 
ing. — " The proud man," says he, " is imbued with a sen- 
timent of his own superior merit, and from the summit of 
his grandeur treats with contempt or indifference all other 
mortals ; the vain man attaches the utmost importance to 
the opinions entertained of him by others, and seeks with 
eagerness to gain their approbation. The proud man ex- 
pects the world will come to him and acknowledge his 
merit ; the vain man knocks at every door to draw attention 
toward him and supplicates for the smallest portion of hon- 
our. The proud man despises those marks of distinction 
which on the vain confer the most perfect delight. The 
proud man is disgusted by indiscreet eulogiums ; the vain 



I.OVE OF APPROBATION. 183 

man inhales with ecstasy the incense of flattery, although 
profusely offered, and with no very skilful hand." 

This faculty is too much cultivated in education, hy heing 
almost universally appealed to as the chief stimulus to exer- 
tion and good behaviour. It is only where improper sub- 
jects are taught, or proper ones are taught improperly, 
that such appeals are required. In excessive activity it 
prompts to the equivocation, 'not at home,' which in this 
country is much less used than in Britain. Here ladies 
are not ashamed to announce the truth that " they are par- 
ticularly engaged and find it inconvenient to see company." 
Love of Approbation, as well as Self-Esteem, prompts to 
the use of the first person ; but its tone is that of courteous 
solicitation, while that of Self-Esteem is arrogant and 
presumptuous. 

When this organ is deficient, the individual cares little 
for the opinion of others ; and if the selfish propensities 
predominate, the combination produces what are called 
1 impracticable' men, whose whole feelings are concentra- 
ted on self. Rebuffs and indignities never affect them. Free 
from restraints of delicacy, they practise upon the benevo- 
lence, the friendship, the interest of others, and often achieve 
their ends in spite of obstacles which to a sensitive mind 
would have been insurmountable. 

The natural language of this feeling is to carry the head 
backward, and a little to the side ; it imparts to the voice a 
soft, soliciting tone, clothes the countenance in smiles, and 
produces in the lips that elegant line of beauty which re 
sembles Apollo's bow. You see the natural language well 
manifested in this drawing. A lady, after I had delivered 
this lecture on one occasion, told me that she was surprised 
at my not exhibiting the natural language of the faculty in 
a drawing of a dandy. " Look at him" said she " with his 
hair hanging in ringlets or carefully rounded out at the side 
into a fascinating curl ; he wears a little, low crowned 
and broad brimmed hat, stuck jauntily on the side of his 



184 LOVE OP APPROBATION. 

head ; his coat is fitted to his back like a tailor's show-fig- 
ure, and his head is reclining gently backwards and to one 
side, while simpering smiles bedeck his countenance ; he is 
the very personification of Love of Approbation." I thanked 
the lady for her portrait, and if any friend will draw it for 
me in black chalk, I shall have great pleasure in doing jus- 
tice to the ladies by placing the ■ dandy 1 along side of the 
female figure which you here see.* 

A young lady, a relative of my own, went to a boarding 
school, the governess of which was very particular about 
the manners of her pupils; and, among other things, she 
taught the young ladies that the proper attitude for a lady, 
was to hold the head and figure in the position represented 
in this drawing, the head thrown gently back, and inclining 
to one side, in short, in the position naturally adopted when 
Love of Approbation predominates. In my young relative, 
Self-Esteem and Firmness were rather large, and conse- 
quently it was natural for her to hold her head erect. She did 
her best, however, to follow directions ; but after sitting for 
some time with her head on one side, she took a pain or crick 
in her neck, and had to resume her natural position. She 
would then get a scolding, would again try to hold her head 
in the required position, but the crick would again come ; 
and finally the governess gave up the attempt, remarking 
that she did very well in every thing else, but that in her at 
titudes she was excessively awkward and incorrigibly vulgar. 
I subsequently saw this lady, and remarked that in her 
head Love of Approbation was enormous, and that she 
naturally threw her head in this position ; and because it 

* " Every one knows that in the south of France, they decorate the 
mules with bouquets when they travel well. The most painful punish- 
ment which can be inflicted on them, is to deprive them of their bou- 
quet, and tie them to the back of the carriage. I have a female ape, 
whenever they give her a handkerchief, she throws it over her, and 
takes a wonderful deal of pleasure in seeing it drag behind, like the 
train of a court-robe. Gall. iv. 190. 






CAUTIOUSNESS. 



185 



was natural to her, she conceived it to be the beau ideal of 
graceful position. The upright attitude of Firmness, which 
she condemned as vulgar, was more agreeable to my taste, 
than the simpering attitude of Love of Approbation which 
she commended ; but every one will prefer the attitude 
which harmonises with his own predominant faculties. 



12. Cautiousness. 





Cingalese boy. French skull. 

This organ is situated near the middle of the parietal 
bone, where ossification generally commences, and beneath 
what are called the parietal protuberances. Compare these 
skulls : This was picked up on the plain of Waterloo ; you 
see that it seems truncated. In this, the skull of a Cinga- 
lese boy, the size is immense. 

This organ is the fountain of fear, or the instinct of self- 
preservation. Gall was struck by the extreme irresolution 
of a clergyman of Vienna, who could never decide upon 
any thing. A few days afterward, at an examination of a 
public school, this clergyman sat beside a Counsellor of 
State, of the same irresolute character, and so proverbial 
for his indecision as to have received the nick-name of 
Cacadubio. Dr. Gall observed the great projection of their 
heads in this region. Conceiving that Indecision and Cir- 
cumspection might be connected with this particular part 
of the brain, he pursued his investigations, and soon veri- 
fied his conjecture. 

Fear appears to me the primitive feeling of this organ. 

16* 



186 CAUTIOUSNESS. 

Fear cannot be the absence of courage, as it is a positive 
emotion, which the negation of a quality cannot produce. 
The tendency of this sentiment is to make the individual 
apprehend danger, to make him keep a constant look-out, 
to hesitate before he acts, and to look to consequences, 
that he may be assured of safety. A full development is 
essential to a prudent character. 

When the organ is too large, it produces a wavering, 
doubting, undecided disposition, and may occasion an ab- 
solute incapacity for vigorous and decided conduct. A 
great and involuntary activity of it constitutes panic, in 
which the mind is hurried away by an irresistible emotion 
of fear. I have noticed that it is almost invariably large in 
children, and we must all admire this providential arrange- 
ment. It is a guardian better than fifty nurses, and the 
place of which no external care can supply. A boy of 
six years of age, in whom it was very small, took off his 
clothes, and w<vs about to jump into an old quarry full of 
water after his cap, which had been blown into it, when he 
was stopped by a passer-by. His mother was continually 
in alarm about him ; danger hu seemed incapable of com- 
prehending. The boy subsequently died; and the mother, 
after the first emotions of grief were over, expressed her 
thankfulness that he had passed away. 

Another lady was very apprehensive for her little son, 
who had a disposition to climb and perform other feats of 
activity. Perceiving his Love of Approbation and Cau- 
tiousness large, I told her that the boy performed his feats 
to gratify the first, and would not undertake them unless 
observed. Therefore her remedy was to let him alone, for 
his Cautiousness would guard him from danger. She took 
no notice of his feats of climbing and he gave them up. 

When this organ is small, and Hope large, the future 
seems full of joy and gladness ; there is a confident look- 
ing forward for brilliant success, with, too often, a neglect 
of the means. A person so organized seems to think that 



c\r nm s.nf.ss. 187 

ail desirable things will come at a future time. He is sub- 
ject, however, to visitations of disappointment ; Hope does 
not fulfil her promises, and a pang follows. Elasticity is, 
however, soon regained, another alluring object presents it- 
self, which, in its turn eludes his grasp. 

When Cautiousness is large and Hope small, the present 
cannot be enjoyed, on account of fearful forebodings. The 
future seems dark and cheerless, and evils are suffered by 
anticipation which are never realized in fact. It may be 
diseased ; in fact, in the old country it is more often dis- 
eased than any other organ. When it is so, it gives most 
fearful apprehensions. A lady, in whom it was morbidly 
affected, rose thirteen times in one night to see if her chil- 
dren were alive. In this case, Philoprogenitiveness also 
was large. When the organ is in this diseased condition 
people often try to laugh the patient out of his notions ; 
they might as well try to laugh him out of the tooth-ache. 
The rational way is to subject him to a course of moral 
and physical treatment, adapted to the peculiarities of his 
case. 

In Dr. Dodd, who was executed for forgery, this organ 
as you perceive, is very small. Compare it with this of 
the Rev. Mr. Martin, or this of King Robert Bruce. Dodd 
was brought up for private examination before the Earl 
of Chesterfield and a magistrate. His case excited very 
painful sensations, and they got up and went out of the 
room, in which there was a fire, leaving Dr. Dodd with the 
papers by which alone he could be convicted, hoping that 
he would destroy them ; but on their return they found, with 
horror and surprise, that he had not done so. 

Suicides have generally this organ and Destructiveness 
large, and Hope small. Cautiousness, when stimulated to 
excess, gives rise to intense melancholy, anguish and anx- 
iety ; and by thus rendering life extremely miserable, it in- 
directly prompts to this result. Let no one suppose suicide 
to result from mere error of judgment. It proceeds from 



188 CAUTIOUSNESS. 

internal and involuntary feelings of a diseased nature, the 
misery and torments of which, he who has never felt them 
cannot accurately conceive. I once knew a case of sui- 
cide, however, from this combination: large Self-Esteem, 
Combativeness, Destructiveness, and Firmness. The sui- 
cide was a boy of thirteen years of age, whose brother, after 
trying various other modes of reclaiming him from vicious 
conduct, had severely beaten him. The boy, seeing no other 
mode of revenge, hanged himself; and so firm was his re- 
solve, that he kept his legs drawn up to the body, lest they 
might touch the floor. 

This faculty gives a tendency to open the eyes wide, 
to roll the eye-balls, and to turn the head from side to 
side ; from which arises the term Circumspection. A hare 
surprised in a field, sitting on its hind legs, with its eyes 
open, and its head moving anxiously from side to side, is a 
fine example of this expression. The natural language of 
Destructiveness, Secretiveness and Cautiousness, is well 
expressed by Sir Walter Scott, in his * Lord of the Isles :' 

For evil seemed that old man's eye — 

Dark and designing, fierce, yet shy; 

Still, he avoided forward look, 

But slow and circumspectly took 

A circling, never-ceasing glance, 

By doubt and cunning marked at once, 

Which shot a mischief-boding ray 

From under eye-brows shagged and gray." 



J 



BENEVOLENCE. 189 



LECTURE VII. 

SUPERIOR SENTIMENTS. 

I now come to what are called the Superior Sentiments, 
or such as constitute the peculiarly human character. Of 
these, however, Benevolence and Imitation are found also in 
the inferior animals. The best rule for ascertaining the size 
of the coronal region, the seat of these sentiments, is the fol- 
lowing : The centre of Causality corresponds to the point of 
ossification in the frontal bone, and the centre of Cautious- 
ness to the point of ossification in the parietal bone, all that 
part of the head which lies above these points belongs to the 
Moral Sentiments, allowing a little for Causality and a little 
for Cautiousness. Pass a string, therefore, round the head 
over these points, and if that part of it which lies above a 
plane, of which this string is the boundary, be low and flat, 
you may rest assured that the Moral Sentiments are small ; 
if it be high and broad, you may be certain that they are 
large.* The best cord I have used for this purpose is formed 
of zinc overlapped with black ribbon or tape, it is very flexi- 
ble and is kept in place by the force of gravity. I shall now 
treat of the individual organs, and first of 
13. Benevolence. 

This organ is situated at the fore part of the top of the 
head, on each side of the middle line, and anterior to the 
fontanelle. A friend of Gall, knowing that he had sought 
external manifestations of mental qualities, requested him 
to examine the head of a servant remarkable for his amia- 
ble disposition and goodness of heart, as it is called. " It 
is impossible," said he, " to find a greater degree of good- 
ness than that young man possesses." Gall complied with 
* See the figure at the commencement of Lecture ninth. 



190 BENEVOLENCE. 

the request, and perceived a prominence of the frontal bone. 
He recollected a school-mate who had the like amiable tem- 
per ; and he was requested by a lady to examine the head 
of her son, also very amiable. He found all their heads 
much developed in this region ; by examination of others he 
was convinced that the disposition to do good is innate, 
and that here is its organ. 

This sentiment prompts to acts like that of the Good 
Samaritan. Those who have it strong do good without 
regard to fame, and do not complain of ingratitude ; they 
manifest a warmth and simplicity of manner, and a direct- 
ness of purpose which touch the heart at once — while those 
who do good from love of approbation seek witnesses, boast 
of their goodness, and evince a coldness and restraint which 
betray their true feelings. See how large it is in Henry 
IV. of France ; beautifully did he manifest it in his charac- 
ter. When urged to injure an officer who had taken part 
against him, he replied, " I will do him so much good that 
he will be forced to love me." When desired to destroy a 
town which he had conquered, he replied, " The pleasure 
which results from gratified revenge lasts but for a moment ; 
that which flows from mercy is eternal." Fenelon ex- 
hibited a most beautiful manifestation of it when he said, 
"I am a true Frenchman, and love my country ; but I love 
mankind better than my country." Hobbes resolves its 
manifestation into selfishness. Pleasure indeed is, by a 
beautiful arrangement of the Creator, made a concomitant 
of benevolent acts, but it is not for the pleasure that the acts 
are performed. The man who sees another fall into the 
water and leaps in to save him, must feel great delight, if 
successful, but not for this did he risk his life. 

The organ is very distinctly developed in the head of Jacob 
Jarvis, of Cork, who could never resist any solicitation. 
When his wife saw any one coming whom she supposed 
about to request something, she had to lock the door or he 
had to hide himself. The organ is extremely developed in 



BENEVOLENCE. 



191 




the head of the negro Eustache, 

whose merits were publicly ac- 
knowledged by the Institute of 
France, from which, in 183:3, he 
received the Prize of Virtue. 
During the contests which fol- 
lowed on the attempts of the 
French to restore slavery in St. 
Domingo, the disinterested exer- 
tions of Eustache in behalf of his 
master M. Belin, were unbound- 
ed. By his address, courage, and 
devotion, this gentleman, with 
upward of four hundred other 
Whites, were saved from the Eustache. 

general massacre, and the fortune of M. Belin several times 
preserved. At Paris, the profits of his industry and the 
rewards he obtained were all employed in relieving the 
miserable. At Port au Prince he often heard his master, 
who was an old man, deplore the gradual weakening of his 
eyes. Eustache could not read, but, inspired with the hope 
of pleasing his master, he applied himself secretly to study, 
took lessons at four o 1 clock in the morning, that he might 
not encroach on the time required for his regular duties, 
and speedily acquired the wished for kowledge. Approach- 
ing the old man with a book in his hand, he proved to him, 
that if nothing seems easy 
to ignorance, nothing is im- 
possible to devotion. I 
again show you the cast, as 
it is one of the most beauti- 
ful demonstrations of this 
organ which we possess. 
Contrast it with this of Grif- 
fiths the murderer. 

The idea that benevolence can manifest itself only by 




Griffiths. 



192 BENEVOLENCE. 

giving alms or money, is a vulgar error. It is benevolence 
toward those with whom we live, to order our arrange- 
ments with a due regard to their comfort, and not to deny 
them proper gratifications ; it is benevolent to suppress our 
humours and impulses, when these would occasion un- 
necessary pain to others ; it is benevolent in giving orders, 
to restrain Self-Esteem, and, in censuring, to be mild and 
merciful ; it is benevolent to be courteous and considerate 
to those in humble station. Benevolence, too, is an essen- 
tial element in true politeness. I knew a gentleman in 
whom this organ was large, but combined with large Ac- 
quisitiveness and Self-Esteem. He had much leisure time, 
and would devote whole days to the promotion of benevo- 
lent purposes, but very seldom gave pecuniary aid. 

Deficient Benevolence does not produce cruelty, but it 
leads to regardlessness of the welfare of others ; and when 
small, a powerful restraint is removed from the propensi- 
ties. Let Benevolence be absent from those who attend 
the sick, and there is no ever-gushing well-spring of good- 
ness. One who has large Conscientiousness may be faith 
ful as a matter of duty, but will not manifest that uniform 
kindness and gentleness, that softness and sympathy, which 
is so gratifying, soothing and important. I have never 
known it small in a regular stewardess in a sea-going ship 
or steamboat, which may be accounted for from the fact, 
that one in whom the organ was deficient would soon be- 
come disgusted with her duties and find other employment, 
or be discharged for neglect. We have more than a hundred 
skulls of murderers, and in almost all we find Benevolence 
very small. In the cases in which it is large, the murders 
have generally been committed either after provocation, or 
on the impulse of the moment. Persons in whom the or- 
gan is small, and Acquisitiveness and Self-Esteem large, 
attribute every thing to selfishness ; and if Destructiveness 
be large, they cannot realize that even the Deity himself 
can take pleasure in doing good, their mind is exposed to 



BENEVOLENi 193 

the influence of the tower Feelings, their temper is apt to be- 
come cold, harsh, sour and unhappy ; they have little sym- 
pathy with enjoyment ; the face of creation appears not to 
smile ; moral and physical objects are viewed on their 
darkest sides, and they steel themselves with malignity 

Destructiveness and Benevolence do not neutralize each 
other, but Destructiveness may, in some instances, even aid 
Benevolence. An army going to battle is emblematic of 
the activity of these two faculties, it marches forward 
equipped for the work of destruction, yet surgeons attend 
for the purpose of succouring those on whom the calamities 
of war may fall. Without Combativeness and Destructive- 
ness there would be no war ; and without Benevolence, 
neither mercy nor compassion. 

This organ is found in the lower animals, and its devel- 
opment may be ascertained. When the horse is hollow 
and narrow in the middle of the forehead just above its 
eyes, it is invariably vicious, and disposed to bite and kick. 
In mild and good-natured horses, the contrary form is al- 
ways present. In cats and dogs the same rule holds good ; 
and that great differences exist in these animals all know. 
Some cats will allow themselves to be played with and 
handled by children, without ever striking, except with their 
sheathed claws ; some scratch at all who incommode them 
in the slightest degree. Some dogs will precipitate them- 
selves into the water to save persons who have fallen in. 

Benevolence may, however, be abused. Conscientious- 
ness is required to stay the hand till justice be satisfied, and 
firmness to resist the impulses of Benevolence till reason 
has decided on the propriety of the proposed mode of mani- 
festation. By indiscriminate alms-giving, profligacy and 
idleness may be encouraged, and reckless dissipation fos- 
tered. 

In disease this organ may be preternaturnllv nrtive. It 
is often active, too, in idiots. u I once knew a mau,' 
Dr. Rush, "who discovered no one mark of reason, who 

17 



194 VENERATION. 

possessed the moral sense or faculty in so high a degree 
'.hat he spent his whole life in acts of Benevolence. He was 
not only inoffensive, (which is not always the case with 
with idiots,) but he was kind and affectionate to every 
body." 

This organ generally gives great sweetness to the voice, 
kindness and tenderness to the manner. 

14. Veneration. 

This organ is situated exactly in the centre of the coronal 
region, at the fontanelle, behind Benevolence. Dr. Gall's 
father had ten children, one of whom was devout from child- 
hood and wished to become a priest, but was made a mer- 
chant. Unhappy in this business, he abandoned it at the 
age of twenty-three, and took orders. Dr. Gall was in- 
tended for the church, but having no partiality for it, left it 
for the study of medicine. Gall observed a variety of dispo- 
sitions among children at the schools, for which nobody 
could account ; some being pious, others being quite the 
reverse. This led him to believe the religious sentiment to 
be innate. He examined the heads of religious people, 
and finally found a prominence in this region. This was 
remarkable in his brother, in the portraits of eminent saints, 
and in antique statues of high priests. He entered the 
Catholic churches, always open in Europe, and saw the 
same marks in the greatest devotees — and finally established 
the organ. 

This organ produces the sentiment of Veneration in gene- 
ral, and the tendency to worship. It is a mere impulse, 
however, and if the understanding be limited, and no reve- 
lation have reached the individual, the unfortunate being 
may worship the genius of the storm, the source of light 
and heat, or even brutes, stocks and stones. 

It has been said that with this organ man has no need 
of a revelation. But Dr. Gall has well remarked that it 
was absolutely necessary to fit man for the reception of 



VENERATI 195 

revelation ; if Veneration be of itself blind, nothing is more 
reasonable than that it should receive guidance. From 
this organ he draws an argument to the existence of God. 
Destructiveness is implanted in the mind, and animals exist 
around us to be killed for our sustenance. Adhesiveness 
and Philoprogenitivuness are given, and friends and chil- 
dren are provided as objects on which they maybe exercised. 
Benevolence exists, and the unhappy and unfortunate are 
every where around us, on whom its benign radiance may 
be shed. So man has the instinctive tendency to adore, 
and we may reasonably infer that a God exists as its object. 
This argument has, of course, only the force of an analogy. 

You perceive this region very much developed in King 
Robert Bruce, who manifested the faculty strongly. Be- 
nevolence was rather small in him, and he stained his name 
by many acts of cruelty and many unnecessary executions. 
But he was always devout. He vowed that he would visit 
Jerusalem, but being unable to do so, made one of his 
bravest Knights swear to cut out his heart after death and 
carry it thither. The heart was cut out, but the Knight was 
killed on the journey. The body of Bruce was, in part, re 
cognised by the ribs having been sawn away on the left side. 
Compare the head of Bruce with this of Thurtell, in which 
it is very small. Recollect that you must measure the ele- 
vationof the ororan above a plane passing through the frontal 
and parietal protuberances ; because, if Firmness and Be- 
nevolence be very large, it may seem depressed, when it is 
in fact considerable. 

This organ is represented large in the portraits of emi- 
nemly religious persons. It is represented as very large in 
this head of Christ, by Raphael. The parts behind the 
ear, or the organs common to man and the lower animals, 
are small ; whereas the organs situated in the forehead and 
coronal region are very large, indicating great intellect 
and exalted Benevolence and Veneration. Dr. Gall puts 
this question : Has this divine form been invented, or may 



196 VENERATION. 

we presume that it is a faithful copy of the original? It is 
possible, he continues, that artists may have imitated the 
heads of the most virtuous, just and benevolent men, and 
thence drawn the head of Christ. But it is more probable 
that the general figure of the head of Christ has been trans- 
mitted to us. St. Luke was a painter, and how should he 
fail to preserve the features of his Master 1 It is certain that 
this form of the head of Christ is of very high antiquity : we 
find it in mosaics, and in the most ancient paintings. The 
Gnostics of the second century possessed images of Jesus 
and of St. Paul. He concludes, therefore, that neither Ra- 
phael nor any other artist invented this admirable configu- 
ration. 

Metaphysicians in general do not admit an original ten- 
dency to worship. We perceive order, beauty, harmony, 
power, wisdom and goodness, say they, in the works of crea- 
tion, and infertile existence of a Supreme Creator and Di- 
rector, whom we thus feel constrained to admire and adore. 
We admit that the understanding of man sees through Nature 
up to Nature's God. But there it stops. It perceives facts 
and draws inferences, but does not feel emotions. Phren- 
ology, therefore, goes further, and proves the existence of a 
sentiment the tendency of which is to adore. And that our 
view is correct, the universal prevalence of this tendency , 
fully proves — Where the understanding is feeblest the 
emotion is often the strongest. Men cut down branches 
from trees and worship them ; they hew out a rude figure 
and adore it ; they prostrate themselves before reptiles and 
monsters — facts utterly incompatible with the notion that 
man worships as the result of a process of reasoning.* 

* Derham, Paley and others, who attempt to prove against atheists the 
existence of God, commence by showing, that on examining a watch, 
or other piece of mechanism, we perceive manifestations of design, and 
intelligence. Transferring the ideas thus obtained, to supernatural things, 
they construct the following syllogism: "Whatever indicates marks of 
design must have had an intelligent author. The world indicates marks 



VENERATION. 197 

This organ ghtefl respect for age and deference toward 
periore in rank. In children it is a chief ingredient in 
ial piety, and produces that soft and almost holy reverence 
ith which a child looks up to its parent. If this organ be 
tall, but Benevolence and Adhesiveness large, children 
•iv live with their parents as friends and be to them very 
nd and attentive; but there will be little of that deferential 

of design; therefore, The world must have had an intelligent author." 
I shall not stop to question the admissibility of such transference, but re- 
mark, that, to support the conclusion, it is obviously necessary that the 
argument be thus laid down or understood: whatever indicates marks 
of tup< rhuman design, must have had an intelligent, superhuman author. 
The world exhibits marks of superhuman design; therefore: The world 
must have had an intelligent, superhuman author. But so stated, it is in- 
admissible as proof against the atheist. For what is an argument? sim- 
ply an expression in which from something laid down as granted, some- 
thing else is deduced, it is amode of proving that what is admitted to be true 
of a certain term, is also true of a subordinate term, by showing that the 
latter is in fact contained in the former ; thus when we say, Every man 
is mortal. Thomas is a man ; therefore : Thoma3 is mortal. If the man 
hood of Thomas be admitted, it is evident that the conclusion " Thomas is 
mortal" is virtually asserted in the proposition, ''Every man is mortal." 
Seeing that Thomas is one of that class of whom mortality is universally 
iffirmed. So when it is asserted by these writers that whatever shows 
marks of design must have had an intelligent author ; and that the world 
*hows marks of design, they virtually assert that the world had an intel- 
igent author. But this is assuming that to be true, which the atheists 
leny, and which, in fact, is the very proposition that they themselves 
iretend to be establishing. In short the attempt to ascertain in this way 
he being of a God, is merely a tautological play of words; inasmuch 
is his being must be proved, before the premises can be laid down. 

I have affirmed that without revelation the idea of God would 
lever have been possessed by man, and that his possession of it proves 
evelation to be true. But the universal, ever-existing belief in Him, is 
trong presumptive evidence against such a conclusion. It appears to 
ae that the idea necessarily springs from the activity of the faculties. 
Ve observe, for instance, the construction of the human heart, and its 
ontractions. We observe the blood coursing from the heart through 
ie arteries to the circumference of the body, and returning through the 
is; and in the veins we perceive valves. Now, Causality instinctive 
r recognizes efficiency in the arteries and veins to convey the blood, ef- 

17* 



198 VENERATION. 

regard — that submitting of their will to that of their parents 
— which we witness as the result of the former combi- 
nation. 

Veneration is conspicuous in the heads of those who hare 
great reverence for whatever is ancient and venerable, and 
who continually talk about \ the wisdom of their ancestors.' 
You in this country seem to have little respect for the wis- 

ficiency in the valves to prevent its regurgitation, and efficiency in the 
contraction of the heart to occasion its propulsion. But it goes farther, 
and, in virtue of its very constitution, infers that of the tubes, the valves 
and the heart, themselves, there must have been an efficient antecedent f 
and that this antecedent, to be efficient, must have been intelligent. Then 
we have a faculty including, as the evidence proves, in the sphere of i 
its activity, love of the supernatural, and another giving the tendency 
to adore; these would greatly aid in fixing on this antecedent the atten- 
tion of intellect. 

Of this efficient, intelligent antecedent of themselves, men would ne- J 
cessarily form very different conceptions according to the development 
and enlightenment of their intellectual and moral powers. Some would 
indeed, represent him as fickle, vain, proud, partial, revengeful, blood- 
thirsty, little better, in fact, than an almighty demon. Yet I think 
it might be shown that the idea of God, as revealed to us by Christ, is 
such as would be ultimately formed by men of capacious, well-balanced, 
active and highly enlightened intellectual, and moral faculties. This, 
however, militates not against either the utility or necessity of revelation, 
for, to use the words of Bishop Butler, " Though natural religion is the 
foundation and principal part of Christianity, it is not in any sense 
the whole of it." 

But if the belief in the being of a God springs from the activity of the 
human faculties; how is it, it may be asked, that some deny His ex» 
istence? The solution must be looked for in idiosyncracy of organiza- 
tion. There are men who cannot pereeive colours, others who cannot 
perceive melody, others who cannot perceive the dependence of an ef- 
fect on a cause, others who feel not the impulses of Conscience or Benev- 
olence; there are idiots, imbeciles and maniacs; but these form the ex- 
ceptions to be accounted for, not the instances to be brought into the 
proof of any general proposition. 

If these views be correct, the endeavour to prove the existence of the 
Deity is not very different from an attempt to prove the existence of 
melody. Not more than one in ten thousand would need any proof, 
and on the understanding of the ten thousandth the argument itself 



rati RATION. 199 

dom of your ancestors ; perhaps there is no country in which 
this direction of the feeling is less prevalent. Servants iit 
whom this organ is large are the most obedient and defer- 
ential. 

This faculty inspires the beholder with profound awe 
when gazing on ancient temples, cathedrals or sepulchres. 
A person in whom it is small would experience little emo- 
tion even while gazing on Westminster Abbey, with all its 
monuments of departed genius. Veneration is one ingre- 
dient in the tendency to antiquarianism. 

You have doubtless heard that phrenology is hostile to Re- 
ligion. This often amuses me whenl think that itis the 
first system of mental philosophy which has recognised an 
innate faculty giving a tendency to adore. But we must 
distinguish between Religion and Creeds. The latter are 
merely standards of belief formed by men as fallible as our- 
selves, from their own interpretations of Scripture. The 
Scotch Confession of Faith, for example, contains the 
established creed of the National Church. Now the arti- 
cles of this creed were adopted by j. majority of votes : thus 
they determined, by two or three of a majority, perhaps, what 
was and what was not the will of God. The sentiment of 

would fall like idle and incomprehensible sounds. Though I would not, 
therefore, engage in such an argument, I would, in the training of youth, 
continually refer to the power, wisdom and goodness of the Creator, a3 
manifested in his works- from the grass on which we tread, to the vast 
and glorious orbs which roll through immeasurable space. I would do this, 
not for the purpose of proving His existence, but as the best means of cul- 
tivating the faculties in harmony with the religious sentiment, around 
which all truth should be gathered. Especially w r ould I point out in 
human and external nature, evidences of the moral government of God, 
of the invariableness of His laws, and of the sanctions by which lie en- 
forces their observance. For the laws of nature are no less divine than 
those of revelation, and the primal truth, taught not only by the Di- 
vine teacher, but by Nature, with her thousand voices, is, that however 
the will of THF. father may be manifested, to conform to it is man's 
highest duty, his most effectual means of moral advancement, of present 
and ultimate happiness. 



200 VENERATION. 

Veneration gives us a tendency to love God and submit 
ourselves to His will : but it does not direct us to any par- 
ticular creed, and we have as much right to follow the dic- 
tates of our own understandings in interpreting Scripture, 
as the Divines of Westminster had who formed the Scotch 
confession of Faith, or any other Divines ancient or modern. 
To say that phrenology is hostile to Religion, however, 
is as absurd as to affirm that the discoveries of Newton put 
out the light of the sun. 

This organ is larger in women than in men — and they 
are more obedient and more prone to devotion. In mis- 
fortune, too, they submit with a better grace. When large in 
a preacher, it is manifested in prayer by the soft breathing , 
fervour of his tones ; when small, his prayers are cold and 
formal. 

Some seem to tremble for the stability of Religion ; but 
as Nature has implanted the organs of Veneration and Won- 
der in the brain, and the corresponding sentiments in the 
mind, it is a groundless terror to apprehend that Religion 
can ever be extinguished, or even endangered, by the argu- 
ments or ridicule of the profane. Forms of worship may 
change, and particular religious tenets may now be fashion- 
able and subsequently fall into decay, but while the human 
heart continues to beat, awe and veneration for the Divine 
Being will animate the soul ; not until the race of man be- 
comes extinct, will the worshipper cease to kneel and the 
hymn of adoration to rise. 

Sometimes this organ becomes diseased, and is then oc- 
casionally the source of the most beatific emotions. In Mr. 
Drury's establishment near Glasgow, I saw, in 1836, a 
patient whose tendency to prayer, when labouring under a 
fit of insanity, was irresistible. In his head I found Venera- 
tion small : yet he was on his knees all day. This was 
thought to be an opposing fact ; but this patient had a 
lucid interval, when I conversed with and asked him 
whether he enjoyed his devotional exercises when excited. 



FIRMNESS. 



201 



" No," said he, " I do not ; I feel very unhappy — and I 
pray that I may not be visited by Divine wrath." Cau- 
tiousness and Destructiveness were very large in him ; and 
my belief is that he felt overpowering terror, and that in his 
prayers he was deprecating punishment. Mr. Drury him- 
self became satisfied that this was the true explanation. 
The natural language of Veneration is to carry the head 
and hands upward.* 

15. Firmness. 




'irmness small, Conscien- Firmness large, Conscien- Firmness and Conscien* 
tiousncss large. tiousness small. tiousness small. 



This organ is situated at the posterior part of the coronal 
region, close upon the middle line. You can readily dis- 
tinguish the middle of Cautiousness : this organ lies direct- 
ly upwards from it. I shall exhibit specimens of this organ 
in very different degrees of development. In this head of 
Mrs. H. Conscientiousness is large and firmness very de- 
ficient. In Haggart you see Conscientiousness very de- 
ficient and Firmness very large. In the Rev. Mr. Martin 
both organs are much developed ; and you perceive that this 
part of the coronal region constitutes a large and full arch. 

* I knew a sailor, in whom both Benevolence and Veneration were 
very large; who, when intoxicated, was particularly kind and generous 
in his manners, and who would kneel down and pray aloud, in the 
most fervent though unconnected manner 



202 FIRMNESS. 

Contrast these two heads. In Captain Parry the head 
gradually rises from before backward. In Dr. Dodd, in 
whom both these organs are very deficient, the head is 
higher in front than behind. In Oberlin, Firmness is very 
large. This is an extraordinary head; and his history ex- 
hibits a most delightful example of undaunted perseverance 
in a course of high and practical benevolence. This organ 
is always large in stubborn and refractory children. He 
who is deficient in it is the sport of external circumstances 
and communicated impressions. When large, it gives for- 
titude, constancy, perseverance, determination ; and, when 
too energetic, produces obstinacy, stubbornness, infatuation. 
Firmness has no relation to external objects ; it only adds 
a quality to the manifestations of other organs. Thus 
with Combativeness it produces determined bravery — with 
Conscientiousness inflexible integrity. Firmness, however, 
cannot supply the deficiency of other organs. One with 
very small Tune might persevere in striking the keys of a 
piano seven years without making melody. We must dis- 
tinguish between the manifestation of Firmness and the 
gratification of the large organs. An individual in whom 
Acquisitiveness is large may persevere unceasingly in the 
pursuit of wealth, but in the means employed he will be 
vacillating and unsteady. This organ is larger in the Brit- 
ish than in the French, and the latter are astonished at the 
stubborn perseverance of the former. Napoleon complained 
of the weakness of the French character in this respect. 
Under the influence of large Combativeness and small 
Cautiousness, they make the most cheering and vigourous 
attacks ; but, if steadily resisted, their ardour abates and 
they give way. The British, on the contrary, advance with 
cool determination, and, although repulsed, are not discom- 
fited, but preserve presence of mind to execute whatever 
may appear most advisable. This quality is of great ser- 
vice in contention, as he who is able to maintain his facul- 
ties in a state of vigorous application for the greatest length 



CONSCIENTIOUSNESS. 203 

of time wearies out his opponent. Firmness is large, as 
you see, in King Robert Bruce; and he was distinguished 
for unshaken firmness in circumstances in which hope must 
hare been very nearly extinct. His army was sometimes 
reduced to twenty men ; but still he pursued his course with 
unwavering confidence. 

Firmness when prominent, gives an extremely firm, up- 
right £ait, as though an iron rod went from it through the 
spine ; it imparts a peculiar hardness to the manner, and a 
forcible, emphatic tone to the voice. Those in whom it and 
Self-Esteem are large, and Veneration small, find it difficult 
to bow — they are ■ stiff-necked.' Those in whom Love of 
Approbation and Veneration are large, and Firmness small, 
are ever bowing — they seem to find it difficult to keep 
straight. 

16. Conscientiousness. 



The skull which I hold in my hand represents the mark- 
ing of the head in 1806. In it there is no organ of Con- 
scientiousness ; the space now occupied by it, being left 
blank. This organ, in fact, was not discovered by Gall, but 
by Spurzheim. It is situated on the posterior and lateral 
parts of the coronal region, upward from Cautiousness and 
backward from Hope. (See the three last figures.) 

Metaphysicians have disputed whether a sense of moral 
obligation is a natural instinct: Hobbes ascribes it to Self- 
Love ; Mandeville, the author of the celebrated ' Fable of 
the Bees,' to Love of Praise : " The moral virtues," said 
he, " ore the political offspring which flattery begot upon 
pride." Dr. Clarke ascribed it to perception of Fitness of 
Things: he is supposed to have been the object of Field- 
ing's satire in the character of 'Square,' Hume ascribed 
this sentiment to a perception of Utility — thus placing man 
on a level with a chest of drawers ; Paley to Hope of Eter- 
nal Reward ; Cudworth, Hutcheson, Stewart, Brown and 
Reid insisted on a moral sense ; Mcintosh denied it, and 



204 CONSCIENTIOUSNESS. 

Adam Smith ascribed the sentiment of justice to sympathy 
between the approver and the action and object approved. 
Phrenology, by fixing this single point, has conferred a 
great boon upon moral science. It proves that a faculty 
exists which produces the feeling of duty or of obligation, 
independently of fear of punishment, hope of reward, or 
any other extrinsic motive, This sense of moral obligation 
must not be confounded with Justice, for Justice is one of its 
results. Justice is a compound idea, or conclusion result- 
ing from the operation of the intellect upon human actions. 
The latter investigates the motives and consequences of 
actions. But there it stops, no feeling of duty or obli- 
gation is the result. But as soon as the intellect has thorough- 
ly examined a subject and penetrated into the springs from 
which it proceeds, a feeling of decided approval or con- 
demnation arises spontaneously in the mind. Suppose 
you were sitting on a jury : when you hear the evidence, a 
feeling arises in the mind that this is right or that is wrong. 
The intellect sifts testimony and draws inferences. Con- 
scientiousness decides upon the right. I know this to be 
true, because I have been acquainted with men of great in- 
tellectual talents, who, after hearing testimony, could not 
tell where justice lay. 

This faculty controls and regulates all the others. If 
Combativeness and Destructiveness be too active, Consci- 
entiousness prescribes a limit to their indulgence ; it permits 
defence, but no malicious aggression. If Acquisitiveness 
urge too keenly, it reminds us of the rights of others. If 
Benevolence tends toward profusion, it issues the admoni- 
tion Be Just before Generous. If Ideality aspires to its 
high delights when duty requires laborious exertions in an- 
other sphere, Conscientiousness supplies the curb, and bids 
the soaring spirit stoop its wing. It brings all the faculties 
to the standard of duty., and gives an earnestness of man- 
ner — a directness of purpose— a prompt fulfilment of obli- 
gations — which constitute that dairy beauty in the life which 



CONSCIENTIOUSNESS. 205 

renders the individual in ike highest degree useful and re 
spectable. If Benevolence be deficient, however, duty is 
not onlv rigidly performed but rigidly exacted. There is 
little or no consideration for the errors or follies of men ; 
justice is not tempered with mercy. 

An individual in whom this faculty is weak, generally acts 
and judges of others according to the predominant feeling 
of the time. He is amiable, stern, harsh, courteous, or re- 
pulsive, according as Benevolence, Destructiveness, Love 
of Approbation, or Self-Esteem, bears rule. Such men 
are never to be relied on. As judges they are unsound, as 
friends unreasonable, as sellers apt to misrepresent and 
extort, as buyers to depreciate and evade payment. 

So far from the Laws of Honour, as they are called, being 
prompted by Conscientiousness, they can only exist where 
it is weak. They are the offspring of Love of Approbation 
and Self-Esteem. The conscientious man, if conscious 
of being right, will remain inflexible ; but if aware that 
he is wrong, so far from deeming it a degradation to ac- 
knowledge his fault, he rises in his own esteem by doing 
so. But when Conscientiousness is weak, Self-Esteem re- 
fuses to admit its fallibility, Love of Approbation feels 
as though the world's esteem would be lost by such an ac- 
knowledgement, and the wretched victim, rather than own 
that to be wrong which is utterly indefensible, will go to the 
field and die. 

To those in whom this faculty is small, no feeling is more 
incomprehensible. According to Madame de Stael, Na- 
poleon was never so completely at fault, as when he met 
with opposition from a man who acted under the influence 
of pure integrity. To obtain the aid of such a person, he 
offered him money — no, that would not do. He offered 
him title — no, that would not decide him. He then asked 
him what he did want. The man said he wanted nothing, 
but that he could not consent to do what he considered 
wrong. Napoleon could not understand this and considered 

13 



206 CONSCIENTIOUSNESS. 

him essentially mad without knowing it. It is a favourite 
maxim with some that " Every man has his price" — a max- 
im which those in whom Acquisitiveness or Love of Ap- 
probation is large and Conscientiousness small consider as 
profoundly discriminative ; but there are minds whose de 
viation from rectitude no price can purchase, no honours 
procure. 

Veneration, Conscientiousness and Benevolence may 
exist independently. Their union forms the religion of the 
Bible, as expressed in the command to do justice, love mer- 
cy and walk humbly with God. Those in whom this com- 
bination exists in predominant activity, are, to use the 
language of St. Paul, 'a law unto themselves.' Those in 
whom it is deficient are totally unfit to be so. This shows 
the absolute necessity of written laws by which to direct 
their conduct. 

In disease, this organ produces excessive remorse. A 
clergyman believed himself the cause of all the bloodshed 
in the wars of the French Revolution ; and a man, who 
owed nothing, believed that he was indebted to every body, 
and deserved to be devoured by rats. 

This faculty and Benevolence produce gratitude. It is 
a mistake to suppose that great criminals necessarily feel re- 
morse. I talked to Hare when in prison ; and, notwithstand- 
ing his atrocious deeds, he did not feel remorse in the 
slightest degree. Bellingham did not feel remorse, nor was 
the woman Gottfried troubled till disturbed by the law. In 
Haggart, Benevolence was rather large, and he felt great 
regret for having murdered the jailer at Dumfries ; but, 
Conscientiousness being small, he felt no remorse on ac- 
count of the thefts which he had committed. This organ 
communicates a pleasing simplicity to the manners, and 
gives an uprightness to the gait.* 

* Conscience is said to be a treacherous monitor, inasmuch as before 
the commission of crime, it warns us only in the gentlest whispers, but 
afterwards raises its accusing voice like thunder. This is easily and beau- 



CON'SCII XTIOUSNESS. 207 

tifullv explained by the phrenological doctrine, that the organs of the dif 
ferent hcultiee, are not always in an equally active state, but com*' into 
activity scri<ttim, either from internal causes, or as they may be affected 
rnal circumstances. The doctrine is, that previously to the com. 
mission of crime, the propensities leading to that crime, are in a highly 
active state: but no sooner are these gratified, than a reaction takes place; 
the propensities, wearied with long exertion, become dormant, and the 
moral powers coining into activity, show us the enormity we have been 
guilty of, in all its horrors. Ed. Phren Journal. 



208 HOPE 



LECTURE VIII. 
17. Hope. 

This organ is situated on each side of that of Venera- 
tion, and before that of Conscientiousness. Dr. Gall did 
not discover it, but left the region which it occupies blank 
and marked with a note of interrogation. Indeed, he con- 
sidered Hope as a mode of activity of every primitive 
faculty; in this he confounded Hope with Desire. The 
criminal on the scaffold may have an earnest desire to live, 
when hope has utterly fled. 

Hope gives the tendency to believe in the future attain- 
ment of what the other faculties desire. Thus a person 
with Hope large, joined to large Love of Approbation, will 
expect to rise to distinction — to large Acquisitiveness, will 
expect to become rich. Hope is a powerful alleviator of 
affliction and a copious source of enjoyment. It inspires 
with gay, fascinating emotions ; and paints the future in 
hues of enchanting brilliancy. If Cautiousness be small, 
and Hope large, the individual is gay, careless, happy for 
the passing day, and regardless of the future — or rather, 
Hope supplies his future with every desirable thing without 
suggesting to him the toil and difficulty of attainment. If 
the contrary combination exist, then is the future hung with 
clouds and darkness ; the present is not enjoyed, on ac- 
count of the evils which Cautiousness anticipates, but which 
probably never arrive. 

In mercantile men, Hope joined to deficient Cautious- 
ness leads to rash speculations. With such a combination, 
they see nothing in its true light. Advantages are magni- 
fied and difficulties are unperceived. If Conscientiousness be 



hope. 209 

deficient, such men arc generally great promisers. They 
will engage to do any thing required of them, some three or 
four month* hence ; and when the three or four months are 
IflMfte by, and their promises are unredeemed, they are as 
ready as ever to promise again, thus they will go on pro- 
mising positively to all eternity, if you will only allow them 
three or four months for their promises to run. I would 
recommend men in business, who may have to deal with 
persons <»f this class, always to judge for themselves as to 
the probability of their keeping their word, and act accord- 
ingly. The combination of large Acquisitiveness with large 
Hope and deficient Cautiousness leads to gaming ; on the 
other hand, if Acquisitiveness be large, joined with large 
Cautiousness, the motto is ■ A bird in the hand is worth 
two in a bush,' and saving is resorted to. 

Hope, in religious matters, is an essential element of 
faith, and tends to lessen or remove that • Fear of Death 1 
which is to many minds so intensely painful. Some per- 
sons under its influence seem incapable of realizing the 
approach of dissolution, and actually die by inches, per- 
suading themselves all the while that they are in a fairway 
to recover, till death has extinguished the last ember of the 
feeling. 

An argument of no small weight and beauty has been 
drawn, from the existence of this feeling in the human mind, 
in favor of a future life. It seems to have direct reference 
to a future state, and naturally leads the mind to anticipa- 
tions which the present world can never realize — to spring 
forward to something far removed in the deep recesses of 
time. We find that every other feeling has its objects to which 
its full energies can be directed : Philoprogenitiveness ex- 
ists, and we have children on whom to lavish its endear- 
ments ; Adhesiveness, and friends surround us on every 
side. Is Hope the exception to the rule ? Is there not a 
future world, to which its bright anticipations, so far beyond 
the realities of the present, bear the same relation, and 

18* 



210 WONDER. 

where the 'longing after immortality' will be realized? 
Pope has seized this idea, and thus expresses it : 

•• Lo ! the poor Indian, whose untutored mind 
Sees God in clouds, or hears him in the wind— 
His soul, proud science never taught to stray, 
Far as the Solar walk or Milky Way : 
Yet simple Nature to his Hope has given, 
Behind the cloud-capt hills, an humbler heaven ; 
Some safer world, in depth of woods embraced; 
Some happier island, in the watery waste, 
Where slaves once more their native land behold, 
No fiends torment, no Christians thirst for gold." 

The idea is that as this faculty exists and relates to fu- 
turity, the futurity exists to which it is related. 

In the head of Rammohun Roy, Hope and Veneration 
are deficient, as you see by this cast, which was taken from 
Nature ; but my opinion is that, though true in other res- 
pects, it represents the head as too long. This may have 
been occasioned by the joining together of the mould : each 
half may have been one-fourth of an inch or so too long, 
making half an inch difference altogether. At any rate, I 
cave never seen so long a head. The form of it, however, 
is perfectly correct. The cast was given to me by a gen- 
tleman who saw it taken. In Mr. Martin's head, Hope is 
well developed. In this head of a criminal, it is decidedly 
small. 

18. Wonder. 

This organ is situated in front of Hope, at the side of 
Imitation, and immediately above Ideality. 

Dr. Gall observed some persons prone to extravagant 
notions, who pretended to see and hold conversations with 
the dead or absent. Are they, said he, fools or imposters, 
or does this depend on cerebral organization ? He studied 
the history of those most remarkable for this quality, as So- 
crates, Tasso, Swedenborg, and others ; examined and com- 
pared their heads, and found a prominence between Ideality 



WONDER. 211 

and Imitation. Pursuing this hint, he examined the heads 
of the credulous whenever they fell in his way ; and found 
the disposition invariably associated with this development. 
It is the foundation of curiosity, and when large, produces 
credulity, a tendency to he astonished and to believe in 
proportion to the improbability of a narrative ; it leads to 
belief in ghosts and witchcraft, and was the foundation of 
the Scottish superstition called second sight* 

My own observations in regard to it have been to this ef- 
fect : Those in whom I have seen it large have had great 
love of the new— the wonderful always delighted them ; the 
novels of the Arabian Nights, the unexpected incidents of 

* I am acquainted with a gentleman of great erudition, formerly a Sen- 
ator of New York, and now holding a judicial station, who firmly be- 
lieves that he possesses this extraordinary gift, and that he has held com- 
munication with spirits. In him wonder is largely developed. 

Soon after Santa Anna entered Texas, this gentleman announced to 
a friend, that the Texans had defeated the Mexicans, and that Santa Anna 
was killed. When asked how he knew, he replied that he had seen 
what he stated. News soon came that about that time the Texans did 
obtain a victory over the Mexicans, that Santa Anna was taken prison- 
er, and had been in great danger of being put to death, a confirmation 
sufficiently near to render the previous assertion remarkable. 

It appears to me that the above case may be thus explained. The 
gentleman knew that the Texans had asserted their independence, that 
a Mexican army had entered Texas for the purpose of reducing them to 
obedience and punishing them for revolt, that a battle must take place. 
His large intellectual faculties enabled him to appreciate the compara- 
tive firmness, enterprise and daring of the combatants, and to arrive at 
the conclusion that, notwithstanding disparity of numbers, the Texans 
would be victorious. Sympathy with his countrymen would probably 
aid in the formation of this conclusion. So far there is merely an ordi- 
nary exertion of the intellectual powers, but instead of the result pre- 
senting itself in the customary form, predominating Wonder, caused the 
intellect to so vary its usual mode of procedure that, for its gratification, 
the perceptive faculties secreted, as it were, the results to which the re- 
flective faculties had arrived, and fashioned them into a scene or vision. 
It appears to me that this explanation may be applyed to all the so called 
cases of second sight. 



212 WONDER. 

the Waverly novels, were to them a source of extreme plea- 
sure. There was a look of wonder about the countenance : 
the exterior angle of the eye was drawn upward. Those 
in whom I found this organ deficient had no such taste ; 
their delight was to strip every narration of the wonderful, 
and reduce it to what they would call plain common sense. 
I am disposed to consider the primary function of this 
organ to be the Love of the New. Change is the character 
of the world. Wonder is given to put us in harmony with 
the perpetual succession of new objects which supply the 
place of the old. Destructiveness put us in harmony with 
decay, Wonder with renovation. Mr. Bryant, I find, has 
noticed the harmonious and benevolent operation of these 
two processes : 

" My heart is awed within me, when I think 
Of the great miracle that still goes on 
In silence round me — the perpetual work 
Of thy creation, finished, yet renewed 
For ever. Written on thy works, I read 
The lesson of thy own eternity. 
Lo ! all grow old and die ! But see again, 
How on the faltering footsteps of decay 
Youth presses — ever gay and beautiful youth, 
In all its beautiful forms. These lofty trees 
Wave not less proudly that their ancestors 
Moulder beneath them !" 

If this organ be, as I believe, the Love of the New, then 
its activity is probably an element in the interest we take 
in changes of fashion. To many novelty is always pleas- 
ing; a new fashion is admired and thought beautiful ; an old 
one seems unsightly. The dress and furniture of the early 
part of the reign of George II. excites our surprise ; we 
wonder how people could ever admire them, yet they were 
admired when new. Of course, there are forms and fash- 
ions which are intrinsically beautiful ; beauty which never 
palls, objects over which fashion exercises no control. A 
Chinese tea-pot may be rendered agreeable by fashion, but 






WONDER. 213 

will look ugly when the mode changes ; but the exquisite 
vases dug from Hcrculaucum, are as much admired now as 
ever, they please in all countries and all ages. 

This faculty stimulates to the love of adventure. Sir 
John Ross observed it to be strongly developed in boys who 
ran away from home to follow the sea. Some imagine 
that a voyage, with its hardships and dangers, will soon 
cure the lads of their fancy ; but in this they are not seldom 
disappointed ; the very dangers have a charm in them to a 
mind thus constituted. 

The faculty of Wonder aids Genius, by prompting it to 
originality ; in Scott, it was much more strongly developed 
than Ideality ; and the tendency of his mind corresponded 
with the development. This leads me to notice the head 
of Sir Walter which is sold in this country. It is a palpa- 
ble forgery. The face is very like, and the general form 
correct; but the dimensions are greatly exaggerated, as 
if to excite the organ of which we now speak. I have seen 
Scott a thousand times, and have a perfectly exact bust of 
his head, modelled by Mr. MacDonald ; I therefore know 
what I say to be correct. 

In its higher degrees of development, Wonder becomes 

1 passion for the marvellous. I know a very intelligent 

gentleman of Edinburgh, in whose head this organ is very 

arge ; who remarked to me that he had often for his part 

vondered at people requiring evidence to enable them to 

, >elieve. In his own mind the strongest intuitive tendency 

vas toward belief, no matter how strange the thing to be 

;j| relieved. Wonder should be very strongly manifested in 

i he heads of those persons who embrace readily all that is 

nysterious in Animal Magnetism. 

This is a representation of the head of Tasso, who be- 
ieved that he held converse with spirits ; in him Wonder 
nd Ideality are both very large. This is the head of Baron 
5wedenborg, who believed himself called to reveal the most 
idden mysteries concerning the spiritual world. w In 



214 



WONDER. 




Tasso. 

1743," said he, "it pleased the Lord to manifest himself to 
me, and to appear before me, to give me a knowledge of 
the spiritual world, and to place me in communication with 
angels and spirits ; and this power has been continued with 
me till the present day." " Swedenborg," say his biogra- 
phers, u was a man of unquestionable sincerity, but one of 
the most extravagant enthusiasts that ever lived." I have 
seen a number of Swedenborg's followers, and this region 
is much developed in all of them. I must add that I have 
found them to be a moral and very amiable class of men. 

Mr. N , of whom I have before spoken, was troubled 

with apparitions during the latter part of his life. These 
gave him amusement at first, as he was fully aware of their 
unreal nature. He would see a long train of Greeks, then 
of Turks, then of his own countrymen pass before his eyes, 



WONDER. 215 

each in appropriate costume. At last one vision became so 
terribly real that be never afterward spoke of these visita- 
tions. He saw his wife, who had been dead some years, 
standing in the room ; and so life-like was the appearance 
that lie spoke to her. She walked toward the window : he 
followed her ; it was not till his head and hands crashed 
against the glass that he became convinced of the illusion. 
After death, the appearance of the dura mater and skull 
over this organ indicated that chronic inflammation had 
existed. 

Sir Walter Scott remarks that " no man ever succeeded 
in imposing himself upon the public as a supernatural per- 
sonage, who was not to a certain extent the dupe of his own 
imposture. " 

There is a great difference of development in this region 
among different nations. In the ancient Greek skulls it is 
large ; in the Peruvian skulls it is extremely large — and 
they were exceedingly credulous, taking the Spaniards for 
supernatural beings ; in the New Hollanders, on the con- 
trary, the organ is very small. Captain Cook remarks that 
when his ship went near the shore, some natives were walk- 
ing along; and, though the sight of a ship under sail must 
have been as strange a sight to them, as a conveyance from 
the moon would be to us, they hardly stopped an instant, 
but just glanced toward it and trudged on. 

The manifestations of this sentiment are finely delineated 
by Akenside in his ' Pleasures of the Imagination :' 

" Witness the sprightly joy, when aught unknown 

Strikes the quick sense, and wakes each active power 

To brisker measures. Witness the neglect 

Of nil familiar prospects, though beheld 

With transports once; the fond, attentive gaze 

Of young astonishment; the sober zeal 

Of age, commenting on prodigious things : 

For such the bounteous providence of heaven, 

In every breast implanting the desire 

Of objects new and strange, to urge us on 



216 IDEALITY. 

With unremitted labour to pursue 

Those sacred stores that wait the ripening soul 

In truth's exhaustless bosom. What need of words 

To paint its power? For this the daring youth 

Breaks from his weeping mother's anxious arms> 

In foreign climes to rove ; the pensive sage, 

Heedless of sleep, or midnight's harmful lamp, 

Hangs oe'r the sickly taper ; and, untired, 

The virgin follows, with enchanted step, 

The mazes of some wild and wondrous tale, 

From morn to eve. Hence, finally, by night, 

The village matron, round the blazing hearth, 

Suspends the infant audience with her tales, 

Breathing astonishment! of witching rhymes 

And evil spirits ; of the death-bed call 

Of him who robbed the widow and devoured 

The orphan's portion ; of unquiet souls 

Risen from the grave to ease the heavy guilt 

Of deeds in life concealed ; of shapes that walk 

At dead of night, and clank their chains, and wave 

The torch of hell around the murderer's bed f 

At every solemn pause, the crowd recoil, 

Gazing each other, speechless, and congealed 

With shivering sighs — till, eager for th' event, 

Around the beldame all erect they hang, 

Each trembling heart with grateful terrors quelled." 

The natural language of this organ is to turn up the 
hands and eyes with a peculiar expression of astonishment, 
and to nod the head obliquely upward in the direction of 
this organ. 

19. Ideality. 






This organ is situated nearly along the temporal ridge ol 
the frontal bone, lying backward and a little upward from 
Causality. It is important to bear the situation in mind, as 
this organ has been mistaken for Acquisitiveness. The 
upper part of the side of the head in Hare was very large. 
Sir W. Hamilton and Stone noticed this, and manifested 
great glee at having discovered that so notorious a villain and 
murderer should have Ideality large. Being present I saw 



. 



IDEALITY. 21? 

that they had mistaken the situation of the organ. It is 
worthy of remark that anti-phrenologists generally take lit- 
tle trouble to be correct; they seem to think that the more 
blunders they commit, the worse it is for phrenology. When 
these gentlemen had done, I requested Professor Wilson, 
who was also present, to sit down beside Hare. I then drew 
a line from Causality to Cautiousness) on the Professor's 
head, and asked them what they saw there. They said they 
saw a wide and large part of the head above this line towards 
the front. I then drew a similar line on the head of Hare, 
and asked them what they saw above it. They said they 
saw nothing at all. Ideality being in him really very de- 
ficient. The line reached almost to the top of the head, the 
coronal region was so very shallow. 

This rule being important, I shall spend one monent more 
in its further illustration. Here are two heads of very dis- 
tinguished men. I place a black string around each. You 
see how much Canova has the advantage over Napoleon in 
this region. Again, see how large in Chalmers, who has a 
splendid imagination — in Wordsworth, the poet — in Joseph, 
the sculptor — in Haydon, the historical painter — in Sir Da- 
vid Wilkie, whose head in other respects is very great — and 
in Voltaire — compared with its development in Franklin, 
the Rev. Mr. Martin, or Joseph Hume, M. P. 

Dr. Gall observed in a friend who had a reputation for 
extempore verses, that his forehead above the nose rose per- 
pendicularly, and then retreated, extending itself laterally in 
such way as to give the impression of a piece having been 
added on each side. He noticed the same developments 
in the busts of Homer, Ovid, and others. Being invited by 
M. Nicholai to see a collection of thirty poets of different 
ages and countries, he found this part large in all, though 
they were in other respects very different, and he called it 
the organ of Poetry ; but Spurzheim saw that Poetry is the 
result of various organs, and is in fact very different in kind ; 
this organ gives to Poetry or Proee, a certain quality of 

19 



218 IDEALITY. 

beauty, elegance, perfection or sublimity. He therefore 
called it Ideality. The various perceptions of the intellect 
imbued with this sentiment, and expressed in words, be- 
come Poetry — if expressed on canvass, Painting — if in 
marble, Sculpture. Constructiveness would be content 
to fashion and configurate — Ideality wishes for exquisite- 
ness, beauty, finish, taste. 

There are persons very deficient in this organ, who de- 
claim, as matter of religious principle, against the objects 
of its gratification. But this is not the language of univer- 
sal human nature, nor of physical nature either. Where 
Ideality exists to a considerable extent, there is an innate 
desire for the beautiful, and an instinctive love and admira-» 
tion of it. The arrangements of the Creator in the mate- 
rial world are so far from being in opposition to it, that ob- 
jects calculated in the highest degree to excite and gratify 
the feeling, are every where scattered in the most profuse 
abundance. What are the flowers that deck the fields, com- 
bining perfect elegance of form with the most exquisite love^ 
liness, delicacy, and harmony of tint, but objects addressed 
purely to Ideality, and the subordinate faculties of Colour- 
ing and Form ? They enjoy not their beauty themselves,, 
and afford neither food, raiment, nor protection to the cor- 
poreal frame of man ; and on this account some persons 
have been led to view them as merely Nature's vanities and 
shows, possessed of neither dignity nor utility. But the 
individual in whom Ideality is large, will in rapture say y 
that these objects and the lofty mountain, the deep glen, the 
roaring cataract, and all the varied loveliness of hill and 
dale, fountain and fresh shade, afford to him the banquet of 
the mind ; that they pour into his soul a stream of pleasure 
so intense, and yet so pure and elevated, that, in compari- 
son with it, all the gratifications of sense and animal pro- 
pensity sink into insipidity and insignificance. In short, to> 
the phrenologist, the existence of this faculty in the mind* 
and of external objects fitted to gratify it, is one among 



IDEALITY. 



219 



numberless instances of the boundless beneficence of the 
Creator toward man ; for it is a faculty purely of enjoyment 
— one whose sole use is to refine, and exalt, and extend the 
range of our other powers, to confer on us higher suscepti- 
bilities of improvement, and a keener relish for all that is 
great and glorious in the universe. 

We find great differences in the development of this faculty 
in various nations. The ancient Greeks possessed it large, 
you see how much this skull extends to the sides ; this is an- 
other ; this another. Compare any of these with this Esqui- 
maux skull, or with this of a New-Hollander, or this of a 
Charib. How great the difference ! It is a remarkable fact 
that Ideality is almost invariably deficient in atrocious 
criminals. This is the head of one; this of another. We 
have more than a hundred, in all of which the deficiency 
exists, with one or two exceptions in favour of French 
criminals. 

I have stated this to be the organ which produces refine- 
ment of feeling, in my own country I have noticed that per- 
sons of low birth, whose talents and industry have raised 
them to wealth, are susceptible of refinement in their man- 
ners, habits, and sentiments, in proportion to the develop- 
ment of this organ and that of Love of Approbation. When 
small, their primitive condition is apt to stick to them 
through life ; when large, they make rapid advances, and 
improve by every opportunity of intercourse with their su- 
periors. 

This sentiment gives to the conversation, in animated dis- 
course, splendour, sprightliness and buoyancy. It gives taste 
in furniture and dress : an elegant vase, couch or chair, or 
the human form attired in dress in which grace, utility and 
beauty combine, are objects which we delight to see, and 
* which we feel to be agreeable. The pleasure arising from 

it is natural, and of so excellent a quality, as to be approved 

by Intellect and all the moral powers. 

As a fine contrast of development, take this drawing of 



220 



IDEALITY. 




Chaucer. 



Locke. 



Chaucer, and this of Locke, or this of Cobbett who had 
no notion of any thing refined or beautiful in poetry or the 
arts, and ridiculed the manifestation of this sentiment.* 



* See his remarks on Shakspeare in "Advice to Young Men," para- 
graph 77., and the following remarks on Milton's " Paradise Lost." 

" It has become of late years the fashion to extol potatoes, as it has been 
to admire the writings of Milton and Shakspeare. God, Almighty and 
All-foreseeing, first permitting his chief angel to be disposed to rebel 
against him; his permitting him to enlist whole squadrons of angels un- 
der his banners ; his permitting the devils to bring cannon into this battle 
in the clouds ; his permitting one devil or angel, I forget which, to be 
split down the middle from crown to crotch, as we split a pig ; his per- 
mitting the two halves, intestines, and all, to go slap up together again 
and become a perfect body ; his then permitting all the devil host to be 
tumbled headlong into a place called hell, of the local situation of which 
no man can have an idea ; his causing gates (iron gates too,) to be erec- 
ted to keep the devil in ; his permitting him to get out nevertheless, and 
to come and destroy the peace and happiness of his new creation ; his 
permitting his son to take a pair of compasses out of a drawer to trace 
the form of the earth ; all this, and, indeed, the whole of Milton's poems 
is such barbarous trash, so outrageously offensive to reason and common 
sense, that one is naturally led to wonder how it can have been tolerated 
by a people amongst whom astronomy, navigation, and chemistry, are 



SI BMMITV. 



221 



Ideality is often abused, and then, as in the case of Rous- 
seau, then is disgust for the realities of life. In society, it 
and Self-Efteem are generally large in the coteries who are 
called crclusivrs, who consider themselves to be pinks of 
perfection, and are so enamoured of themselves as to think 
hardly any to be lit company for them. To form a correct 
idea of the influence of this faculty, compare the prose of 
Locke with that of Bacon ; the metaphysical writings of 
Reid with those of Brown ; or the poetry of Swift with that 
of Milton. 

19 a. Sublimity. 

You find a part situated immediately behind Ideality 
marked in the bust with a note of interrogation. From its 
being sometimes small when Ideality is large, and large when 
Ideality is small, we conclude that it is the region of a distinct 
faculty ; and some facts seem to show that it is the organ 
which gives the sense of the sublime, while Ideality gives 
the*sense of the beautiful. There is much difficulty, how- 
ever, in coming to a correct decision ; for if we analyze the 
sublime, we find one of its elements to be terror, which would 
seem to be the result of Cautiousness. What we want is a 
decided instance in which Cautiousness and Ideality are 
small, and this region large. I know a physician in whom 
this part is large, while Cautiousness is small, and Ideality 
of medium size, who has an intense love of the grand and 
terrific. He could spend hours in gazing on a sea-storm, 
or listening to the roar of the thunder or the cataract. But, 
in his head, Wonder is large, and that organ may be sup- 
posed to aid in producing the feeling. What we still want 

understood. But it is the fashion to turn up the eyes when " Paradise 
Lost'' is mentioned; and if you fail herein, you want taste; you want 
judgment, even, if you do not admire this absurd and ridiculous stuff, 
when, if one of your relations were to write a letter in the same strain, 
you would send him to a mad house and take his estate." 

19* 



222 wit. 

is an instance of a large isolated organ, where no auxiliary 
influence exists.* 

20. Wit. 

This organ is situated on the side of Causality. When 
large it fills the lateral part of the superior portion of the 
forehead. Dr. Gall says that the best idea he can give of its 
function is to say, that it is the distinguishing faculty of Ra- 
belais, Cervantes, Boileau, Racine. Swift, Sterne and Vol- 
taire. When this development is excessively large, it is at- 
tended with a disposition, apparently irresistible, to view 
objects in a ludicrous light. Laughter may be produced 
without Wit. I have observed children in whom Acquisi- 
tiveness is large, burst into laughter on being suddenly pre- 
sented with money : others who always laughed on an un- 
expected presentation of sweetmeats ; others when suddenly 
praised ' T those in whom Destructiveness is large laugh on 
seeing another unexpectedly injured. A lady told me that 
she inevitably laughs when she sees mischief or misfomme, 
such as a broken leg or a fall in the mud overtake one. On 
the other hand, there may be much excellent Wit without 
exciting laughter. Laughter seems to result, in short, from 
a sudden gratification of many of the feelings : Wit, to con- 
sist in the perception of congruity amid incongruity. 

You perceive this organ large in the head of Dr. Franklin, 
forming a striking contrast with its development in Joseph 
Hume. It is particularly large in the head of Sterne. It 
is large in the head of Haydon. 

No faeulty has puzzled the metaphysicians and phrenolo- 
gists more than this. But all phrenologists agree that the 
development of this organ gives the sentiment of the ludi- 

* A great beautiful thing, is a form of expression hardly ever used ; 
but that of a great ugly thing is very common. There is a wide difference 
between admiration and love. The sublime which is the cause of the 
former, always dwells on great objects and terrible. Bvrkiu 



wit. 223 

crous, and disposes to mirth. My opinion is that Wit con- 

iiiy form of intellectual conception imbued with the 
sentiment of which this is the organ. 

It has heen a question among phrenologist* whether there 
is any class of external objects related to tins faculty, in the 
same mannei as colours are related to the organ of Colour. 
Some maintain that there are. A gentleman said that he 
conceived a nose, a night-cap, a windmill, a sailor with a 
wooden leg, and the elbow, to be essentially ludicrous. This 
struck me as a very ludicrous idea. If a nose be too long 
or too short — if it be a red n3se on a pale face, or a pale nose 
on a red face — it may be ludicrous ; but this arises from in- 
congruity, and is by no means essential to a nose. So a 
night-cap is not ludicrous in itself, but when Moore in his 
Two-penny Post-bag, mc.kes Lord Chancellor Eldon, on 
being suddenly called to the King, enter with his wig 
thrown hastily over his red night-cap to maintain the becom- 
ing splendour of his office, we feel that such a scene would 
be ridiculous enough ; but then this again arises from the 
incongruity. To me the ludicrous appears to be merely a 
mode of existence of which almost all objects are suscep- 
tible, but which is not characteristic of any. The nose, for 
instance, when symmetrical, and, in relation to the other fea- 
tures, harmonious in size and colouring, naturally excites 
the sentiment of the beautiful, and calls up feelings, not of 
the ludicrous, but of pleasure and admiration. 

Those who have this region large, seem to see every thing 
in a ludicrous light, which deviates from the fit and appro- 
priate. And thus, that a man should walk on a piece of 
wood instead of on a proper leg, appears to be ludicrous to 
some ; but this can only be when the higher sentiments do 
not control. It seems to me that the office of this organ is 
o check the other faculties in a irentle way, and arrest their 
abe rat ions. 

Mr. Fuller, in the American Phrenological Journal, re- 
marks that Wit may be defined to be the perception of the 



224 IMITATION. 

pertinent or appropriate, and that the ludicrous arises from 
the perception of incongruity or inadaptation. Thus, he 
says, when Philoprogenitiveness is manifested in attention to 
children, the pertinency of the exercise is pleasing to Wit ; 
but when the same feeling is lavished upon cats, dogs, or 
monkeys, the ludicrous appears, and Wit laughs at it. He 
also remarks of Byron who had Wit, and Ideality large, that 
his Ideality would admire a beautiful foot, his Wit prompt 
him to ridicule a deformed one : hence his peculiar annoy- 
ance under his slight deformity. 

This organ, then, produces great amusement and enter- 
tainment, and is moreover a slight moral engine. Satire is 
a combination of Wit and Destructiveness, the latter being 
generally much the largest ingredient. Humour is the result 
of Secretiveness and Wit. We have in the face three mus- 
cles to draw the corners of the mouth up, or give the expres- 
sion of laughter, and one to draw them down, or give the 
expression of weeping. Hence, some one has concluded 
that man was intended to laugh three times, at feast, for cry- 
ing once. 

21. Imitation. 

This organ is situated on the sides of Benevolence. It 
gives a squareness to the frontal part of the coronal region, 
constituting a sort of table-land. To ascertain its size cor- 
rectly, mark the distance it rises above Causality. When 
small the head slopes suddenly down from Benevolence. 
To this head of Canova you see it gives great breadth. In 
this of Francois Cordonnier it is very large. In this of Vol- 
taire it is still more strikingly developed, rising, indeed, 
higher than Benevolence. This is the head of Clara Fisher, 
taken when she was eight or nine years old, and much dis- 
tinguished. In it you see the same conformation. In this 
head of Jacob Jarvis it is small. 

Gall received the first intimation of this organ from the 



IMITATION. 



21' 



Clara Fisher. 

91 13 r>j 



Jacob Jarvis. 
13 





head of a friend who bad great imitative power. In him 
this part was greatly developed; on noticing which, Gall im 
mediately repaired to the Institution for the Deaf and Dumb, 
to examine a boy admitted six weeks before, who had at- 
tracted notice by his amazing talent for mimicry. A little 
play was performed at the Institution, in which he so per- 
fectly imitated the gestures, gait and looks of the director, 
inspector, physician, surgeon and some women of the estab- 
lishment, that it was impossible to mistake them. He found 
this region as fully developed in this boy as in his friend. He 
multiplied observations and established the organ. 

This organ contributes to render an author dramatic, and 
is large in busts of Scott and Shakspeare. It is the chief in- 
gredient in the talent for acting, but in good acting much 
more is required. As it consists in reproducing existing ap- 
pearances, it is greatly aided by powerful observing faculties. 
Charles Mathews possessed it large, with immense Individu- 
ality ; and his mind was like an echo, his voice and features 
gave out with perfect ease whatever he heard or saw. Se- 
cretiveness is another great element in the finished actor, 
producing the ability to suppress the manifestation of the 



226 IMITATION. 

other faculties. That Imitation may be operative, however, 
the other faculties must have an adequate development. 
An actor deficient in Tune could not imitate Catalani, how- 
ever great his Imitation ; and one deficient in Self-Esteem 
and Destructiveness could not represent Coriolanus to per- 
fection. 

This faculty is essential to the portrait-painter, the engra- 
ver, the sculptor and the musician. It is requisite to the 
orator ; giving him power to express his thoughts with ap- 
propriate gestures. In private life, some individuals accom- 
pany their speech with the most forcible and animat'ed ex- 
pressions of countenance ; the nascent thought beams from 
the eye, and plays upon the features, before it is uttered in 
words. This is produced by much Imitation and Ideality. 

In children this faculty is very active ; hence the neces- 
sity of surrounding them with associates and setting them 
an example worthy of imitation. It assists the linguist in 
acquiring the spirit of a language. 



INTELLECT I M. I kCULTlES. 



227 



LECTURE IX. 
INTELLECTUAL FACULTIES. 




Regions. — All above the line A. B. constitutes the region of the Moral 
Sentiments. All below A. B. and behind C. D. constitutes the region of the 
Propensities, Ail below A. B. and before C. D. constitutes the Intellectual 
faculties. The mode of drawing these lines is described in the text. 

The Intellectual faculties may be divided into three gene- 
ra : 1. External Senses; 2. Observing Faculties; 3. Re- 
flective Faculties. 

The Observing Faculties occupy the lower, the Reflec- 
tive Faculties the higher, portions of the forehead. The or- 
gans of these faculties are small, hut active. On account 
of their size, many state their belief that it is impossible to 
observe them. These persons seem to forget the difference 
between difficulty and impossibility. It is sometimes diffi- 
cult to distinguish between gneiss and granite ; but no one 
thinks it impossible. The links round the main-spring of a 
watch are so minute that many hundreds might be put on 



238 ON MEASURING THE ANTERIOR LOBE. 

one of these organs, jet artizans not only distinguish but 
make them. From such examples the fallacy of this objec- 
tion may be plainly seen. There seems an obvious reason 
why the Intellectual Organs should be comparatively small, 
— When an organ is under excitement there is a rusbof blood 
into it. Now the great excitement of the large organs con- 
stitutes passion, and if the Intellectual* Organs had beera 
equally large, Intellectual Passions would probably have 
been the consequence, instead of the calm, equable and cool 
observation and reflection of our present condition. 

To ascertain the size of the Intellectual Organs is a mat- 
ter of great importance. Attend closely, therefore, to these 
facts: The anterior lobe of the brains rests on the super-or- 
bital plate, and terminates at its posterior edge ; and that 
part of the frontal lobe appertaining to the Intellectual Or- 
gans rises to the upper part of Causality. The breadth may 
be ascertained by measuring from Constructiveness on one 
side, to the same organ 01* the other \ and the height by 
measuring from the eyebrow to the upper edge of Causality, 
To obtain the length, attend to the following particulars : 
A line drawn from the meeting of the frontal, parietal and 
sphenoidal bones on one side to theiy meeting on the other, 
will run along the posterior part of the anterior lobe. When 
you have the skull before you, nothing can be more easy 
than to determine the length of the Intellectual Organs. In 
the living head it is not much more difficult. Place the head 
in its natural position, the axis of the eye being parallel to 
the horizon. Then observe the most projecting part of the 
zygomatic arch and from that part raise a perpendicular 
line passing upwards along the side of the head. All before 
that perpendicular is the seat of intellect. I do not know 
the physiological explanation of the fact, but I have verified 
it in a great number of instances.* 

* I have verified this observation by an examination of near fifty skulls, 
and have observed in addition that the most projecting part of the zygo- 



INDIVIDUALITY. 229 

Observe this Peruvian skull in front, and you may think it 
a good intellectual head ; but apply to it the rule I have just 
given, and you observe how small is the anterior lobe, com- 
pared with that of this ancient Greek. Looking at this cast 
of the head of Napoleon, in front nothing very remarkable 
appears ; but apply the rule, and you will find him to have 
a most extraordinary intellectual development. With the 
exception of Canova's, I know of no anterior lobe which 
approaches it in length.* — In observing the forehead, mark 
whether the inferior or superior portions are most developed ; 
the one gives power of observation, the other of reflection. 
The difficulties attending the frontal sinus have been before 
explained. (See page 133.) 

22. Individuality. 

This organ is situated at the middle of the lower part of 
the forehead, immediately above the top of the nose. When 
large, it produces breadth, projection and descent between 
the eyebrows ; when small, the eye-brows approach closely 
and lie in a horizontal line. This organ is very large, as 
you may see in Dr. Spurzheim. It gives the conception of 
being or existence, and knows objects in their individual ca- 
pacities ; I have seen Dr. Spurzheim so absorbed in the con- 
templation of a cast as a mere existence, that he would name 
it, and put it down without a single additional remark. This 
faculty gives us the notion of substance, and forms the class 
of ideas represented by substantive nouns — as man, beast, 
horse. 

matic arch corresponds with the posterior inferior portion of the zygo- 
matic suture, and with that part of the arch at which the ascending por- 
tion terminates and the descending portion begins. This may be very 
distinctly recognised in the living head by passing the finger along the 
under edge of the zygoma. 

* Gall merely from seeing the bust of Napoleon placed along side those 
of the Austrian generals, predicted the astonishing victories of Italy. — 
Phren. Journal. 

20 



230 INDIVIDUALITY. 

This organ produces capacity for details in regard to 
objects that exist, and therefore is necessary in natural 
sciences, as Botany, Zoology and Mineralogy. It pro- 
duces distinctness of detail in narration, and was large in 
Defoe and Swift; the first showing it in Robinson Crusoe, 
the second in Gulliver's Travels. It was small, as you see, 
in Voltaire, who, in regard to things that exist, was one of 
the most inaccurate of writers. His histories have appro- 
priately been called historical romances. By enabling the 
player to recollect what cards have been played, it enables 
him who possesses it well developed to excel in whist. Per- 
sons in whom it is large possess one important element of 
the talent for practical business ; but if the reflecting facul- 
ties be deficient, there will be no depth nor comprehensive- 
ness of understanding. 

In ordinary life you will find persons who go through the 
world without observing things that exist around them ; 
others, who see and note every thing. In the former, this 
organ will be found small ; in the latter, large. I knew a 
gentleman who walked up Prince street, Edinburgh, many 
times, without once observing the Castle, which stood at his 
side. To those not acquainted with Edinburgh, I may 
state that Prince street is about one mile long ; that along 
the south side of it there is a ravine, across which is a rock 
two hundred and fifty feet high, surmounted by a castle ; 
and this is the object he did not so much as see. Such per- 
sons go about in a sort of revery. 

Asa contrast, I will give you the character of Miss Pratt, 
drawn by the author of the Inheritance : " But people who 
make use of their eyes," says the author, " have often much 
to see, even between two doors ; and in her progress from 
the hall to the drawing-room, Miss Pratt met with much to 
attract her attention. True, all the objects were perfectly 
familiar to her ; but a real looker, like a great genius, is 
never at a loss for a subject : things are better or worse 
since they saw them last; or, if the things themselves 



ixnrvinru.iTY. \t.]\ 

should happen to ho the same, they have seen other thingi 
either better rife from, and can therefore either approve or 
disapprove of them. Miss Pratt's head, then, turned from 
side to side as she went along, and a thousand observa- 
md criticisms about stair carpets, patent lamps, hall 
chairs, slab tables, &c. &c. &c, passed through her crowd- 
ed brain." "Miss Pratt appeared to be a person from 
whom nothing could be hid. Her eyes were not, by any 
means, fine eyes ; they were not reflecting eyes; they were 
not soft eyes ; they were not sparkling eyes ; they were not 
penetrating eyes ; neither were they restless eyes, nor roll- 
ves, nor squinting eyes, nor prominent eyes ; but they 
were active, brisk, busy, vigilant immovable eyes, that look- 
ed as if they could not be surprised at anything — not even 
sleep. They never looked angry, nor joyous, nor per- 
turbed, nor melancholy, nor heavy; but morning, noon 
and night they shone the same, and conveyed the same 
impression to the beholder — namely, that they were eyes 
that had a look — not like the look of Sterne's monk, be- 
yond this world, but a look into all the things on the face 
of this earth " 

Now this is an exact description of a mind actuated by 
predominant Individuality, which is the great organ in 
discovery by observation. To suppose men foolish who 
have retreating foreheads is a mistake. Many brilliant 
philosophical discoveries have been made by persons large- 
ly endowed with perceptive faculties, whose reflective fac- 
ulties have not passed mediocrity. 

Individuality is of great importance to the artist. With- 
out its full development there is abstractness of conception 
and vagueness of expression, with it large there is distinct- 
ness and reality. It gives the tendency to personify notions 
and phenomena, to ascribe existence to mere abstractions 
of the mind, such as 4 Giant Despair,' in Pilgrim's progress. 
It is generally small in the Scotch, larger in the English, 
and still larger in the French. 



232 FORM. 

23. Form. 

This organ lies on each side of the small bone which 
you may perceive inside this skull, behind the top of the 
nose, and which is called the Crista Galli. When defi- 
cient, the orbital plate approaches close to the sides of the 
crest, and then the external width across the nose from eye 
to eye is small ; when large, there is a considerable space 
between the plate and crest, and consequently great breadth 
across the nose. By the distance between the eyes, there- 
fore, we judge of the size of this organ. 

Dr. Gall discovered and named it the organ of the 
Knowledge of Persons. Spurzheim, on more rigid analy- 
sis, concluded it to be the organ which takes cognizance 
of configuration generally, and remarked that it is this 
power which disposes us to give a figure to abstractions, 
as that of an old man to God, and a skeleton to Death. 
It is essential to portrait-painters, and greatly aids the 
naturalist. To it Cuvier owed much of his success as a 
comparative anatomist. The figure of an animal or of a 
bone never left his mind, but served him ever after for the 
purposes of comparison. Suppose that in January he had 
seen a bone, the exact form would be indelibly fixed on 
his mind. If in six months he should find another, this 
would be compared with his conception of the previous 
bone, and its form also would be indelibly fixed upon the 
mind. Every fact, in short, which he obtained, became 
linked with every other fact, and he was thus enabled to 
make his astonishing developments in Osteology. 

In the Chinese, Form, is very large; and this seems to 
me to explain what appears so puzzling with regard to 
their written language. By the combination of twenty-six 
letters or characters we produce all our words. The Chinese, 
on the contrary, have a separate character for almost every 
word — which renders their language difficult of attainment 
to Europeans. Their large organ of Form probably gives 



SIZE. 

Ibis singular people the power both of contriving and re- 
taining these characters. 

24. Size. 

This organ is placed at the internal corner of the eye, 
on the side of Individuality. The faculty of distinguishing 
Size differs from that of distinguishing Form, for the size 
may be the same and the form different. Size and distance 
are alike ; when speaking of the latter, however, we think 
of the two extreme points of whatever we refer to ; when 
of the former, we think of the substance between these 
points. 

Perspective is the law of the proportion of distance. It 
therefore depends on Size principally, which organ is ac- 
cordingly necessary in landscape painting. One day fifteen 
or sixteen years ago I was sitting in the drawing-room with 
Sir George Mackenzie, looking at a landscape, when Mr. 
Ferguson, tutor in Sir George's family, said — " That seems 
to me a plane surface, exhibiting differences of light and 
shade. — Now I am told that to some people different parts 
appear at different distances, and that to them it seems to 
have a fore and a background." We were surprised at this 
observation, and asked to what he attributed his inability to 
i see the landscape like other people. He replied to his 
i want of a mathematical education. We asked whether he 
could distinguish in nature that objects were at different 
distances. He said he could. I then asked whether if he 
shut his eyes after looking at objects, he could conceive 
their relative distances. He said he could not. We took 
a cast of his face and forehead, and found Size decidedly 
small. 

Sir Walter Scott said that he had an eye for natural sce- 
nery, and, at one time, a great desire to draw, made many 
efforts, but in vain : he could not bring out the effect. In 
his head this organ was distinctly deficient. 

In Mr. Douglas the painter, on the contrary, this part is 
20* 



234 WEIGHT. 

large, and the manifestation corresponds. When a mere 
child he was struck with the seemingly different distances 
from each other of the near and far ends of ploughed ridges, 
crawled across the fields, before he could well walk, to 
measure the actual distance with a stick, and was lost in 
astonishment on finding that no difference existed notwith- 
standing the difference of appearance. 

This organ large gives great accuracy of eye. A person 
so favoured could draw a circle without the aid of an instru- 
ment, or point out the exact centre of one already drawn. 
Being an officer in the army, he found himself able to make 
his soldiers fall from column into line with great exactness, 
estimating correctly the space to be occupied by the men, 
which many officers could never learn to do. Locality, also, 
was largely developed, which would doubtless aid him in 
this practice. 

25. Weight. 

This organ lies along the superciliary ridge, one third of 
the length of that ridge outward from the nose. Bodies 
may be of all forms, sizes and colours, and yet none of these 
features would imply that one was heavier than the other. 
It is clear, too, that we have an instinctive faculty which 
leads us to put forth muscular effort proportionate to the re- 
sistance to be overcome. To illustrate this, suppose a large 
body of heavy material to be lifted: considerable effort would 
have to be employed. But suppose the object not to be 
such a body, but merely its representation, consisting of 
materials differing much in weight, then would be seen in the 
want of proportion between the muscular effort and the ob- 
ject to be accomplished, the great importance of the in- 
stinctive agency. I have known a little humour manifested 
in this way : a shopkeeper got a pasteboard frame made, 
and employed an artist to paint it so as to represent precisely 
a fine old cheese. When his acquaintances came in, he 
would show them a large, heavy cheese, and ask them to 



WEIOIIT. 235 

lift it. Having done so, lie would point out the fictitious 
cheese and desire them to lift that also, that they might 
compare the weight. To do this they put forth an effort 
equal to the former one ; the arms jerked upward, and the 
apparent cheese flew to the ceiling. Weight is the faculty 
which proportions the force to the resistance. When large, 
it gives skill to the player at quoits. In turning, it enables 
the turner to press with the required momentum. You will 
find it large in good skaters, those for instance, who lean 
so much outward, and describe well the figure 8. They 
are enabled by a large development of Weight, to adapt 
precisely their degree of inclination to their velocity and to 
gravity. To rope-dancers it is essential. In Maclaughlan, 
a weaver of Saltcoats, who spent much of his time in invent- 
ing machines for the regulation of the stroke of the common 
pump so as to make the working-rod move with the same 
momentum up and down, we see it very large ; also in the 
head of Stevenson, the inventor of a superior locomotive 
engine — and in this of Brunei ; it is very large, too, in Dr. 
Chalmers, who represents himself as taking an interest in 
engineering, and as having a constant tendency to illustrate 
his sermons by reference to it and astronomy. In blowing 
crown glass there is an advantage as regards the excise, which 
I cannot specify, in making the circle of glass just nine 
pounds and a half; and when visiting a manufactory at 
Newcastle I was told that expert workmen would generally 
come within from a quarter of an ounce to an ounce. Some 
were utterly unable to acquire this tact, and consequently 
had to be put back to work which brought them in six or 
eight shillings less a week. I noticed that in those who had 
this peculiar tact the organ of Weight was very largely de- 
veloped. In Hunter, the great surgeon, this organ seems 
to have been occasionally diseased, on which occasions he 
had not the power of preserving his equilibrium. u His own 
feelings," says Sir E. Home, "did not give him information 
concerning the centre of gravity." During intoxication this 



236 WEIGHT. 

organ is disturbed: hence the complaint of drunkards that 
the earth plays them such sad tricks when they take too 
much liquor. In archery it is necessary to estimate the 
momentum requisite to send the arrow to the proposed dis- 
tance and with the required force. To this, Weight is es- 
sential. In Scotland a company of archers dates its origin 
before the introduction of gun-powder, and some gentlemen, 
with this organ small, not knowing that any peculiar faculty 
is required, join the society and attend the exercises for 
three or four months, but finding their inability to com- 
pete with the others, they cease their attempts and are 
merely found at the dinners and suppers of the society. 
Good horsemanship greatly depends on this faculty. Some 
men never learn to ride well ; they sit on their horses as 
Scott makes James VI. do, " like a sack of oats." Mr. 
Richard Edmondson of Manchester mentions that a great 
number of observations have led him to the conviction that 
this organ gives the perception of perpendicularity. He 
employs men to engrave figures on copper for the purpose 
of printing cloth ; and notices that those who can draw per- 
pendicular lines without a ruler have this part large. He 
employed a person to build for him a chimney; some of I 
the workmen could build a square yard of wall without once k 
applying the plumb line, others applied it to every brick, b 
The master-builder was angry at these last, and said they l! 
were wasting his time. "See here," said he, taking a to 
trowel and building up a square yard of wall merely by the fl 
eye. u That may be easy for you," said the men, " but we ' C1 
cannot do it." The master, however, would not believe & 
their assertion, but, like a mental philosopher, maintained ^ 
that what he could do, they could do, if they would try. Mr. t 
Edmondson noticed that in those who worked by the eye * 
this organ was large. He maintains that it not only per- ' 
ceives the perpendicularity but the direction of force, and in I 
particular the direction of the gravitating force of our 
bodies. 



colour. 237 

26. Colour. 

This organ is situated in the middle of the superciliary 
ridge. When large it gives an arched projecting appear- 
ance to the eyebrow. Recollect that the organs of which I 
now treat are not confined to the superciliary ridge, but ex- 
tend a short distance above it. Dr. Gall discovered this 
organ by comparing together the heads of painters distin- 
guished for colouring. In the collection of a passionate 
amateur of colouring, he saw a collection of portraits of 
both male and female artists, who had distinguished them- 
selves in this department of the art ; and in all, the region 
immediately above the middle of the eyebrows was ex- 
tremely prominent. 

In order that we may see an object, rays of light must 
pass through the pupil to the retina ; the impressions there 
produced must be transmitted by the optic nerve to the ante- 
rior pair of the corpora quadrigemina. To distinguish 
colour, the impression must pass forward to the organ of 
Colour. 

This is a cast of Mr. James Milne, brass-founder, of 
Edinburgh, in which you perceive the eyeball to project 
beyond this organ. The middle of the superciliary ridge 
is truncated. Contrast it with this of Douglas the painter. 
Mr. Milne cannot distinguish green from bright scarlet, and 
his grandfather on the mother's side, was deficient in this 
respect. In himself and two brothers, it appeared in a de- 
cided manner, while his sisters, four in number, can dis- 
tinguish colours easily. Mr. Milne is rather near-sighted, 
but never found spectacles to aid his defect. He excels in 
distinguishing forms and proportions, he is fond of shoot- 
ing, but can only see the game in the sky-light. When a 
large covey of partridges rose within ten or twelve yards of 
lim, the back ground being a field of Swedish turnips, he 
:ould not perceive a single bird. Mr. Milne was bound 
apprentice to a draper, and for three years and a half con- 



238 colour. 

tinued in his service. He fell into considerable mistakes 
about colours, which for a long time were attributed to in- 
experience and ignorance of the names of the tints. At 
length, however, after selling a piece of olive corduroy, for 
breeches, the purchaser requested strings to tie them with ; 
and Milne proceeded to cut off what he considered the best 
match, when the person stopped him and requested strings 
of the same colour as the cloth. Mr. Milne desired him to 
choose for himself; but being confident that the purchaser 
was wrong, he cut off a piece of the cloth, a piece of the 
string which he intended to give, and a piece of that which 
the purchaser chose, and carried them to his mother. She 
told him that his ribbon was a bright scarlet and the other 
a grass green. His masters would not believe in this defect, 
and it was only after many mistakes and some vituperation, 
that he was permitted to renounce the business, and betake 
himself to that of a brass-founder, for which he had a natu- 
ral disposition and talent, for when a mere boy, he had used 
the turning-lathe in fashioning play-things. He knows 
blues and yellows certainly, but cannot distinguish browrs, 
greens and reds. In the rainbow he perceives only the v jl- 
low and the blue distinctly: he sees that there are other 
tints, but cannot distinguish or name them. When in 
Glasgow, his great coat was carried off, by mistake, from 
the travellers' room, and when he inquired of the waiter 
what had become of it, — the man naturally asked its 
colour. This completely puzzled Mr. Milne, though he 
had worn it a year, and he replied that it was either a snuff 
brown, or an olive green, but which he could not tell. The 
waiter looked as though he suspected Mr. Milne of a wish 
to get some other person's coat rather than to recover one 
of his own ; it was found, however, and Mr. Milne has ever 
since carried in his pocket-book a memorandum of the col- 
our of his coat. I know Mr. Milne very well, and had these 
particulars from himself. He is distinguished for the beau- 



COLOUR. 

ty of his ornamental lamps and other articles. Many simi- 
lar eases are on record. 

Those who have the organ large take pleasure in arrang- 
ing colours in harmonious combinations. They find that 
the primitive colours, bine, yellow and red, do not har- 
monize ; but if we place between two primitive colours, a 
colour formed by combining them, harmony will be the re- 
sult : for instance, if we place green between blue and yel- 
low, violet between blue and red, or orange between red 
and yellow, the effect is always pleasing. We frequently 
see great violations of good taste in the dress of ladies in 
the streets of London, and also in this city. In the arrange- 
ment of rooms this harmony is often violated ; for instance, 
I have seen a room with yellow walls, a green carpet, and 
scarlet covered chairs. 

This organ is very large in Audubon, the ornithologist, 
an excellent colourist. In Haydon you see it very large. 
It is generally larger in women than in men. It is gener- 
ally very small in blind persons. This has been noticed 
by Mr. Silas Jones, Governor of the Blind Asylum of your 
city, an intelligent phrenologist. It is very small in the 
Esquimaux, which may be explained by its lack of exercise 
through successive generations, as they hardly ever see any 
colour except white. Capt. Parry and others have noticed 
the feebleness of manifestation among them. In the Chi- 
nese this organ is very large, with large Form but small 
Size. This seems to me to account to some extent for 
their defective taste. While the form is accurately de- 
lineated and the colouring brilliant, there is no perspective 
in their drawings. 

Colour forms one element in the passion for flowers. I 
knew a legal practitioner, in whom this organ was large. 
so engrossed by this passion as to neglect his professional 
duties, 

Some blind persons can distinguish colours by the touch, 
but I cannot conceive that they have any precise notions 



240 COLOUR. 

of colours. A blind man in Stirling distinguished colours 
with great accuracy by means of touch. He practised 
chiefly on the dresses of persons promenading in the beau- 
tiful walk round Stirliug castle, and the skin on the points of 
his fingers had by this operation acquired extraordinary soft 
ness and delicacy. I have seen him rub his hand along the 
pile of the sleeve and distinguish with great readiness and 
accuracy a black coat, a brown coat, a blue coat and a 
green one. But he confessed that he had no conception 
of what we call colour, but that he was guided by a certain 
feel which each particular colour imparted. 






LOCALITY. 241 



LECTURE X. 

27. Locality. 

This organ lies a little above the internal corners of the 
eye, on each side of Individuality. Dr. Gall mentions that his 
taste for natural history led him frequently into the woods, 
to catch birds, or to discover their nests ; but he generally 
found it impossible to retrace his way to a nest which he 
had discovered, notwithstanding his precaution to cut marks 
on the trees and stick branches in the ground. On this 
account, he was obliged to take with him a schoolmate, 
named Scheidler, who, with the least possible effort, went 
directly to the place where a snare was set, even though 
they had laid ten or fifteen in places not familiarly known 
to them. As Scheidler possessed only very ordinary tal- 
ents in other respects, Gall was struck with his facility in 
recollecting places, and frequently asked him how he con- 
trived to guide himself so surely ; to which he replied by 
by asking Gall in turn how he contrived to lose himself 
every where. Gall moulded his head, and afterwards 
moulded the head of a celebrated landscape-painter, who 
had an extraordinary memory of places ; and that of Mey- 
er, author of Dia-na-Sore, who found no pleasure except 
in a rambling life, and had an astonishing facility of recol- 
lecting the different places which he had seen. On com- 
paring attentively these three heads, he was struck with 
the correspondence which they presented in this region, aU 
having two prominences commencing near each side of 
the nose and going obliquely upward and outward almost 
as high as the middle of the forehead. Innumerable sub- 

21 



212 LOCALITY. 

sequent observations proved that the organ of the faculty 
for recollecting places is situated in this region. 

This is the faculty which enables us to take cognizance 
of direction ; it gives great facility, when large, of recol- 
lecting places, and of learning geography. Many have 
wondered at the accuracy with which the Indian travels 
through trackless forests. It is owing to the large devel- 
opment and activity of this organ, that he is enabled to 
keep a map of the country in his head, and a chart of his 
course. If he has to turn aside half a day's journey, on 
account of some impediment, he knows the direction and 
amount of deflection, and can compensate for it. This is 
the cast of Mungo Park, in which it is very large. He has 
in other respects a beautiful development. Mr. Park was a 
surgeon who had such a passion for travelling that he left 
his native country to penetrate into the interior of Africa. 
The busts and portraits of Columbus, Cook, Galileo, 
Kepler and Newton, show a great development of this re- 
gion. Locality is almost monstrous in the head of Mr. 
Dunn, Surveyor of Coal Mines at Newcastle, England. In i 
working mines, it is necessary to leave pillars for the sup- 
port of the roof; and as the mining is carried on in vari- . 
ous directions and all under ground, it is found to be very . 
difficult to tell the exact boundaries of the respective 
mines, and the direction in which the miners should work. 
Mr. Dunn has an instinctive knowledge of the direction , 
of whatever places he may have visited, and can direct 
the workmen with the greatest accuracy. 

Readers endowed with large Locality, are delighted , 
with descriptions of natural scenery, such as are found in 
the writings of Sir Walter Scott, who wrote so pictorially 
that he almost saves the artists, who may illustrate his pa- 
tjes, the trouble of invention. 

yhis is the cast of James Wilson of Belfast, who lost 
his sig'ht from small-pox at four years of age. His right 
eye was subsequently couched, and he saw till he was 



LOCALITY. 243 

seven, when a furious cow completely extinguished his 
vision. After becoming blind he acquired such an accu- 
rate and extensive knowledge of places, as to be able to act 
as a kind of courier to the merchants, to the extent of for- 
ty miles round Belfast. They considered him a most 
trustworthy messenger; he knew every foot of the coun- 
try: and though he could not travel as fast as others, much 
more dependence could be placed on him ; for, as he him- 
self told me, he never saw any thing to divert his attention, 
and never stopped at the whiskey-shops on the way. In 
him you perceive Locality to be exceedingly large, while 
Colour seems hardly to have grown since infancy. 

I have noticed Locality to be large in chess-players. 
Those in whom Size and Locality are both large, have an 
instinctive faculty of learning to distinguish the situation 
and development of the phrenological organs. Those in 
whom these organs are small, cannot readily do so. 

In Dr. John Hunter this organ seems to have been disor- 
dered; atone time, when in the house of a friend, he forgot 
in what part of the town he was, and looked in vain out of 
the window to refresh his memory. " H3 had no concep- 
tion," says Sir Everard Home, " of any place existing be- 
yond the room he was in, yet was perfectly conscious of 
the loss of memory." 

This organ is possessed by the lower animals, and they 
sometimes manifest it to an extraordinary degree. Gall 
says, a dog was carried in a coach from Vienna to St. Pe- 
tersburgh, and at the end of six months reappeared at Vi- 
enna. Another was transported from Vienna to London, 
but found means to return to his native city. Kirby and 
Spence, in their work on Entomology, relate the following 
anecdote : An ass shipped at Gibraltar on board the Ister 
Frigate, in 1816, was thrown overboard when the vessel 
§truck at Point de Gat, in Spain, a distance of two hun- 
dred miles. He found his way back to Gibraltar, present- 
id himself at the gates one morning, and when they were 



244 NUMBER. 

opened, walked in and went immediately to his stable. His 
not being stopped on the way is accounted for by the fact 
that he had holes in his ears, indicating that he had been 
used for carrying criminals when flogged ; and for such 
asses, the peasants have a great abhorrence. The falcon 
of Iceland returns to its native place from a distance of 
thousands of miles ; and carrier pigeons have long been 
distinguished for a similar tendency. Gall attributes the 
migration of birds to a periodical and involuntary excite- 
ment of the organ of Locality.* 

Since I lectured last in this city, Mr. Sampson has com- 
municated to me some remarks tending to show that the 
perception of " direction" depends on the organ of Size. 
He is deficient in the organ of Locality, and feels an ex- 
treme difficulty in knowing his locality in a city or in be- 
coming acquainted with the relative positions of objects, but 
he has an instinctive facility in knowing the direction of 
places. His observations will be found in the American 
Phrenological Journal and are interesting. I consider the 
ultimate faculty of Locality as still involved in obscurity, 
although the effects which it produces are certain. 

28. Number. 

This organ is somewhat difficult to observe ; when large, 
it gives fullness to the outer angle of the eye, and a little 
to the side, a very little below the point called the external 
angular process of the frontal bone. You see it large in 
the mask of George Bidder, of Zerah Colburn, and of 
Humboldt the mathematician, brother to the traveller of the 
same name. 

* I have always observed that when a fresh hive has been brought to 
my garden from a distant place, the bees employ themselves, on first 
leaving it, not in collecting honey, but in making themselves acquainted 
with all the neighbouring objects. Gleanings in Nat. History by E. Je* 
fie. p. 226. 



NUMBER. 245 

Gall discovered this organ by comparing the heads of two 
boys remarkable for their powers of calculation. Beside 
presenting the appearances before mentioned, the eye was 
in some measure covered by the outer extremity of the eye- 
brow. He afterward visited Baron Vega, a famous calcu- 
lator, and the public schools ; and invariably found this 
part prominent in connection with great arithmetical talent. 
Arithmetic and Algebra depend on this organ ; but Ge- 
ometry, and other of the higher branches of mathematics, 
depend on other faculties. This opinion is not the result 
of speculation, but of observation. George Bidder, when 
only seven years of age, and without instruction, showed 
an extraordinary talent for mental calculation. When only 
eleven, I saw him solve the most complicated questions 
in algebra more rapidly than the most expert accountant 
could put the operations down. When he first came to 
Edinburgh, and before I had seen him, Mr. Moir, surgeon, 
waited on me, accompanied by three boys of nearly equal 
age, and said — " One of these is George Bidder ; can you 
tell me which is he by his head?" I was then desirous of 
seeing remarkable cases, and I told him that I should be 
glad at any rate to examine the boys. I did so, and re- 
marked that the first one could not, I was certain, be George 
Bidder, as in him the organ was deficient ; that the second 
should have considerable powers of calculation ; but that 
the third should be George Bidder, because in him the or- 
gan was remarkably developed. The gentleman assured 
me that I was right. The first was his own son, to whom 
instruction seemed unable to impart any arithmetical know- 
ledge ; the second was the most expert calculator selected 
from a school in Edinburgh ; the other was Bidder him- 
self. Expecting to make Bidder an extraordinary mathe- 
matician, they gave him the best instruction. In a letter to 
Professor Baird, I said — " I fear you will be disappointed 
in your hopes of making Bidder a great engineer." I 
founded this opinion on the fact that the organs, the great 

21* 



246 



NUMBER. 



development of which constitute mathematical genius, were 
not of more than ordinary size. This was looked upon, 
of course, as a piece of phrenological folly. One day I 
met Professor Wallace the mathematical teacher of Bid- 
der : " What do you say to your phrenology now V* said 
he. I said I would be glad to know what he meant. " Why," 
said he, "I mean this: George Bidder, who you said 
would be such a great mathematician, has been two years 
in my class, and does not evince as much genius as many 
others. This shows the nonsense of your science." I 
told him to go and ask his friend, Principal Baird, to in 
form him what I had said two years previous- 

I can speak on this subject the more decidedly, from 
being myself very deficient in this faculty, notwithstanding 
my exertions to cultivate it. Arithmetic has always been 
to me a profound mystery, and, to master the multiplication 
table, an insurmountable task. I could not now tell you 
how many eight times nine are, without going to work cir- 
cuitously aud reckoning by means of the tens. Yet for 
seven years I studied arithmetic. This deficiency has been 
the occasion of much trouble to me. I could understand 
every thing relating to accounts, but had always to employ 
clerks to perform calculations. This faculty in me is, in 
fact, idiotic, and the organ is very small. Were my other 
powers in like condition, I should be totally unfit for the 
ordinary business of life. 

This organ is found very small, and the faculty very fee- 
ble, in some nations and tribes. In this skull of a North 
American Indian, it is very little developed ; and I am told 
that in the various agreements by which your Government 
has engaged to pay a certain amount of money to the In- 
dians, it has been found impossible to make them compre- 
hend the amount, beyond a very small sum. Hence have 
arisen difficulties and dissatisfaction. The Greenland tribes 
consider a number exceeding all their fingers and toes, in- 
numerable. 



ORDER. 247 

Number and Individually both large, nive facility in 
recollecting dates, Form aids in the recollection of printed 
numerals. 

In 1^3.~>, I saw, at the Lunatic Asylum of Newcastle, a 
patient named .Marshall, in whom Number was largely 
developed. Mr. Mackintosh the Burgeon, finding him 
continually employed in covering paper with arithmetical 
calculations, took it away for the purpose of allowing the 
organ repose ; but he then used the slate. That being 
taken away, he used his nails to scratch with upon the 
wall. His hands being tied behind him, he used the tip 
of bis tongue to trace figures on the wall with saliva, and 
kept at work, adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing, 
as well as he could in this way ; his tongue was excoriated 
by the novel application to which it was subjected. 

This faculty seems to be possessed in some degree by 
the lower animals. George Le Roy states that magpies 
count three, and founds his opinion on the following facts: 
To annihilate this ravenous family, game-keepers try to 
kill the mother while she sits. Many, however, desert their 
nest as soon as any one approaches. The plan is then to 
make an ambush and watch for her return ; but she watch- 
es also ; and if one man passes in, she does not approach 
till he ha9 retired. To deceiye the bird two men enter 
the ambush, and one goes away ; but still she waits for 
the other also to retire. Then three enter, and two go 
away ; but still she keeps an accurate reckoning ; finally it 
is found necessary that five or six should enter the ambush ; 
she then becomes confused ; returns v/hile one still remains 
and she is then shot. This has been often repeated, with 
like success. 

29. Order. 

This organ is situated at the external angle of the su- 
perciliary ridge, and often gives squareness to the lower 
part of the forehead. This is the cast of a French ML D. 



348 ORDER. 

who manifested the faculty very strongly. Contrast, as re- 
gards this region, the head of Franklin, one of the most 
orderly, with that of Curran, one of the most slovenly of 
men. When I lectured in Dublin, just ten years ago, a 
gentleman said to me, " Would you like to see the ap- 
pearance of Curran when he looked his best?" I said, 
" Yes, I should." So he took me to see what was consid- 
ered a perfect likeness of the famous orator. The painter 
had evidently done all he could to make Curran look like 
a gentleman, but had been unsuccessful ; the marks of dirt 
and slovenliness were too prominent in his whole dress and 
manner, to allow him a chance of success. The gentle- 
man told me that Curran was, in fact, the greatest slattern 
that ever lived. 

The function of this organ is to give the desire of phy- 
sical arrangement, of order and method in relation to phy- 
sical objects. Classification, generalization and systemat- 
izing, in science or philosophy, depend on the reflective 
faculties. 

I have seen several instances in confirmation of this* 
Mr. L.'s forehead, as you see, presents a great development 
and squareness of this region ; and in his dress, wardrobe, 
and all his professional and domestic occupations, his love 
of order was conspicuous. This trait was hereditary, his 
father on one occasion, having missed his pen-knife from 
the accustomed pocket, summoned before him his relatives 
and domestics, and demanded whether they had seen it. 
Being answered in the negative, he unhesitatingly declared 
that it must have heen stolen ; and being requested to 
search his other pockets, he became quite indignant, and 
exclaimed that for twenty years his knife had been in no 
other. He was at length, however, prevailed on to search : 
and was quite confounded and mortified, on discovering 
that he had really put the knife in his left pocket instead 
of in his right. 

Dr. Spurzheim mentions an idiot at Paris, who could not 



ON THE MATHEMATICAL FACULTIES. 249 

bear to see a chair or other object out of place ; and an- 
other at Edinburgh, who avoided her brother's room, on 
account of its confusion. 

The Esquimaux are described by navigators as a most 
filthy, slovenly and disgusting race ; and in them, as you 
may see by this specimen, the organ is very small. 

I have now treated of the organs which enter into activity 
in mathematical studies. An opinion is prevalent, that 
mathematics afford exercise to the reflecting faculties, that 
their tendency, as a branch of education, is to cultivate the 
talent for general reasoning. To me this appears altogeth- 
er erroneous. Geometry treats of the proportions of space ; 
algebra and arithmetic of the proportions of numbers ; and 
the three form the great elements of pure mathematics. 
Forjudging of the proportions of space ; Size, Locality 
and Individuality, aided by Compaiison, are the faculties 
required : and for judging of the proportions of numbers ; 
Number and Order are the great faculties, also aided by 
Comparison. Now causation always implies power, force, 
or agency ; and the idea of these does not at all enter into 
the propositions of pure mathematics. It follows, there- 
fore, that persons may be great in mathematics, who are 
indifferent reasoners ; and great reasoners, who are poor 
mathematicians. This is the opinion of the great masters 
in philosophy. Bacon observes, that " The mathematical 
part in some men's minds is good, and the logical is bad ; 
some can reason well in numbers and quantities, that can- 
not reason well in words." I was led to investigate this 
subject, and to analyze the mathematical genius into its 
elements, by observing that Causality is often deficient in 
the most famous mathematicians. In Sir Isaac Newton 
himself, the upper region of the forehead is by no means 
large ; but the lower part, especially in the region of Lo- 
cality and Weight is very great ; and though he was ex- 
traordinary as a mathematician, his manifestation of general 



250 ON THE MATHEMATICAL FACULTIES. 

reasoning power was by no means remarkable. The head 
of the late Professor Leslie possessed the same general de- 
velopment ; and he was deficient in the power of tracing 
logical sequences. On the contrary, Bayle, though pos- 
sessed of powerful and acute reasoning powers, could never 
make much progress in mathematics. 

Dugald Stewart remarks that " When it is stated in the 
form of a self-evident truth, that magnitudes which coin- 
cide, or which exactly fill the same space, are equal to one 
another, the beginner readily yields his assent to the pro- 
position ; and this assent, without going any farther, is all 
that is required in any of the demonstrations of the first 
six books of Euclid." This is strong testimony to the fact, 
that the relative proportions of space or magnitude consti- 
tute the principal subject of mathematical education, and 
that causation is not at all implied. This you will readily 
understand by an examination of this chart which contains 
all the geometrical figures. It is evident that a compari- 
son of the relations of these figures to each other, which 
constitutes the science of geometry, has nothing whatever 
to do with the consideration of force, power, or agency. 
Professor Leslie says that " the whole structure of geome- 
try is grounded on the simple comparison of triangles." Mr. 
Stewart corrects this remark by observing, that " D'AJem- 
bert has mentioned another principle as not less fundamen- 
tal, the measurement of angles by circular arches :" but you 
will observe that both triangles and circular arches are mere- 
ly forms of space. 

It seems to me perfectly obvious, therefore, that while 
the mathematical sciences may be employed in the measure- 
nent of forces which operate with undeviating regularity, 
they cannot be employed in cases where the forces are 
not equable. Human actions proceed from intellectual 
perceptions, moral impulses or the force of passion. Now 
it is obvious that these do not possess that uniformity of op- 
eration which is indispensable to the application of mathe- 



eventi \i.rn. 251 

matical measurement. In judging of human actions wo 
must, by sagacity and experience, estimate the influence 
of internal impulses and external circumstances; and in 
doing s(», Comparison and Causality arc principally opera- 
tive: whereas in mathematics Causality is quite inactive. 

In the above remarks I allude to pure mathematics, or 
geometry, algebra, arithmetic and their branches ; and I 
think what has been advanced quite sufficient to establish 
the folly of those teachers, who, as in the University of Cam- 
bridge, England, keep young men for years at mathemati- 
cal studies, to enable them to judge of the nature, force and 
direction of the motives, which produce human actions. 

30. Eventuality. 

This organ, when large, gives prominence or rounded 
fullness to the middle of the forehead. In the head of Dr. 
Franklin you see it small ; in the head of Pitt very large, 
there beinjr a prominence in his head exactly where that 
of Franklin is most deficient. Individuality gives the pow- 
er of observing things that exist as objects of still life ; 
Eventuality recognises their activity. When we say the 
horse gallops, the noun springs from Individuality, the verb 
from Eventuality. Gall included this organ and Individu- 
ality under the term Educability ; but from the upper part 
being often small when the lower part was large, and large 
when the lower part was small, we long deemed this the 
region of two organs, which we called Upper and Lower 
Individuality, concerning the precise functions of which, 
however, we were in doubt. The following incident did 
much to clear up my own views, and I relate it, hoping 
that it may be of equal service to you. There was a great 
review, at which many spectators were present. I dined 
with a number of gentlemen who had attended, and asked 
one of them what regiments were on the Held 1 He said ho 
did not know. I asked him if he remembered the numbers 



252 EVENTUALITY. 

on their knapsacks? No, he did not notice them. I asked 
him if he saw the facings of the regimentals? No, he did 
not recollect seeing them. I then asked him what he did 
see ? " Why," said he, " I saw the review." — " And what 
do you call the review ?" — u Why," said he, " I do not call 
the numbers the review, nor the facings the review, but 
the evolutions." He then described the marching and 
countermarching, the movements and evolutions, with the 
greatest precision. Another gentleman, who was sitting 
by, said: " I know that the soldiers marched about and 
formed squares, yet I certainly could not have described 
the various successive movements as that gentleman has, 
but I remember what regiments were on the field, their 
numbers and facings." I was struck with the difference 
between these two gentlemen, and remarked that Upper 
Individuality was large in the first, and Lower Individuality 
in the second. Dr. Spurzheim, in Paris, and we in Edin- 
burgh, discovered the functions of these parts about the 
same time. 

Individuality and Eventuality are both large in Joseph 
Hume — hence his power of accumulating facts and nar- 
rating occurrences. These faculties are extremely valua- 
ble to the teacher. The one enables him to acquire know- 
ledge, the other to tell the story. An author in whom In- 
dividuality is large and Eventuality small, will treat his 
subjects by description chiefly ; one in whom Eventuality 
is large and Individuality small, will narrate actions, but 
deal little in physical description. This is the portrait of 
Pope ; this is the head of Sheridan ; in the former, Indi- 
viduality is moderate and Eventuality very large ; in the 
latter, both are large, and Form and Size considerable. To 
illustrate the different kinds of composition which these 
different combinations produce, I solicit your attention to 
the following extracts from these authors. Pope rarely 
excels in describing physical existence, but he surpasses in 
representing action. I should like to see some of you take 



EVENTUALITY. 253 

a pencil and attempt to represent, on paper or canvass, the 
beautiful lady described in the following passage: 

" Not with more glories in the etherial plain, 
The sun first rises o'er the purple main, 
Than issuing forth, the rival of his beams. 
Launched on the bosom of the silver Thames, 
Fair nymphs and well-dressed youths around her shone, 
But every eye was fixed on her alone. 
On her white breast a sparkling cross she wore, 
Which Jews might kiss and Infidels adore. 
Her lively looks a sprightly mind disclose, 
Quick as her eyes, and as unfixed as those. 
Favours to none, to all she smiles extends; 
Oft she rejects, but never once offends. 
Bright as the sun, her eyes the gazers strike, 
And, like that sun, they shine on all alike. 
Yet graceful ease, and sweetness void of pride, 
Might hide her faults, if belles had faults to hide : 
If to her share some female errors fall, 
Look on her face, and you'll forget them all." 

Here we have action, condition and quality almost to the 
exclusion of substantive existence ; and in this description 
of the lady's face, though he bids us look at it, there is 
nothing which indicates that he himself had ever seen it. 

Sheridan, speaking of a woman and her husband, says: 

" Her fat arms are strangled with bracelets, which belt 
them like corded brawn — you wish to draw her out as you 
would an opera-glass. A long, lean man, with all his arms 
rambling ; no way to reduce him to compass unless you 
doubled him up like a pocket-rule. With his arms spread, 
he'd lie on the bed of Ware, like a cross on a Good-Friday 
bunn. If he stands cross-legged, he looks like a cadu- 
ceus, and put him in a fencing attitude, you would take 
him for a cheveaux-de-frise. To make any use of him, it 
must be as a spontoon or a fishing-rod. When his wife 's 
by, he follows like a note of admiration. See them togeth- 
er, one 's.a mast the other all hulk ; she 's a dome, and 



254 TIME. 

he 's built like a glass house. When they part, you won- 
der to see the steeple separate from the chancel, and were 
they to embrace, he must hang round her neck like a skein 
of thread on a lace-maker's bolster. To sing her praise, 
you should choose a rondeau, and to celebrate him, you 
must choose all Alexandrines." 

You find here that physical appearances are particularly 
prominent. 

In Curran this organ and Comparison are large, but In- 
dividuality is deficient. In Sterne it is very small. I have 
not seen Captain Marryatt, but he exhibits in his works 
very good Eventuality. It is very large in Sir Walter Scott. 
Both Individuality and Eventuality are generally large in 
children. Under the influence of the former they will break 
their playthings on purpose to see what is inside ; the lat- 
ter gives them great fondness for stories. Dr. Gall main- 
tained, that the facility with which animals may be tamed 
and educated, depends on the degree in which the region 
comprising this organ and Individuality are developed. 

31. Time. 

Time is situated on each side of Eventuality. It gives 
rise to the perception of duration, of the relation in which 
circumstances stand to each other chronologically. By 
giving the perception of measured cadence, it is one source 
of pleasure in dancing, and it is necessary to music and 
versification. The deaf and dumb frequently manifest this 
faculty strongly, and are highly delighted with dancing, ta- 
king the time by the eye from the violin-player's arm, or 
at second-hand, but instantaneously, from the other dan- 
cers. Lord Kaimes and others say we measure time by 
the number of ideas which pass in the mind. This is ob- 
viously incorrect ; for the more we are interested in any 
occupation, the less clearly we perceive its lapse. On the 
contrary, when the other faculties are quiescent, Time 






TUNE. 



seems to become ascendant ; it goes on measuring time in- 
cessantly, and keeps the notion of it continually in the 
mind. Hence the apparent great duration of unoccupied 
time. Some, however, have an instinctive knowledge of 
the lapse of time under all circumstances, and can tell the 
hour of the day with great accuracy. 

32. Tune. 

Tune is situated on the lower lateral part of the fore- 
head, under and on each side of the temporal ridge. When 
large, the forehead is filled up and rounded off in this re- 
gion, and does not form that rapid ellipsis which you see in 
this head of Curran. Contrast the head of Handel with 
this of Anne Ormerod, who was admitted, at twelve years 
of age, into the Blind Asylum of Liverpool. During two 
years, means were unsparingly employed to cultivate and 
improve any musical talent which she might possess; but 
in vain : the finest music gave her no more pleasure than 
the rudest noise. 



Handel. 



Anne Ormerod. 





Gall discovered the organ by noticing this part large in 
a young girl who could repeat whatever she heard sung or 
played, and who recollected whole concerts, if she heard 
them only twice ; and by afterward examining the heads of 



256 TUNE. 

all the persons distinguished for musical talent, to whom 
he could gain access. 

This organ bears the same relation to the ear which the 
organ of Colour does to the eye. The ear receives the im- 
pression of sounds, and is agreeably or disagreeably affec- 
ted by them ; but the ear has no recollection of tones, nor 
does it judge of their relations ; it perceives not the har- 
monies of sound. Harmony is the agreeable combination 
of various sounds ; Melody consists in the succession of 
simple sounds. For the proper appreciation of the former 
a larger endowment is required than for the latter, and, in 
accordance with this, we find that the Germans and Italians 
have the organ large, and prefer Harmony ; the Scotch have 
it only moderately developed and prefer Melody. Many 
mistakes occur in relation to this organ, not only from the 
difficulty of observing it, but from not rightly understand- 
ing on what excellence in the musical art depends. Tune 
gives the perception of Melody, but this is only one ingredient 
in a genius for music. Time is requisite to a just percep- 
tion of intervals, to the proper appreciation of harmony ; 
Secretiveness and Imitation to produce expression. But, 
in instrumental music, the loudness of tone depends on the 
momentum with which the chords are struck, the due 
regulation depends on the organ of Weight ; large Form 
and Individuality are requiste to enable a musician to read 
music at sight, Ideality and a fine temperament should be 
added to give refinement and elevation, to throw over all the 
glow of inspiration. Such a combination is extremely 
rare ; hence the scarcity of great musical talent and genius. 

These views are not theoretical, but founded on observa- 
tion. I will relate one circumstance in illustration. Mrs 
Gibson had two pupils who puzzled her very much. One 
was passionately fond of music, but learned to play with 
great difficulty ; the other cared little for it, but learned to 
play with great facility. She asked me if I would like to 
examine them : I was then investigating this subject and 



TUNE. 257 

requested her to bring them in, but not to say any thing 
which would enable me to distinguish them. On exami- 
nation I found that one had very large Tune, but deficient 
Weight and Time. This young lady, said I, will take in- 
tense interest in hearing music, but have little power of 
execution. The other possessed moderate Tune only, but 
large Imitation and Weight. This young lady, I remarked, 
may be trained to make an excellent performer, but there 
will be no soul in her music. She will be one of the great 
number who devote so much time during youth, in acquiring 
an art which is thrown aside the moment they pass from pa- 
rental control, or enter on the graver duties of life. Mrs. 
Gibson said that this discrimination between the talents of 
the young ladies was perfectly correct. Ten years after- 
wards I dined with a gentleman whose lady said to me, "I 
suppose, Sir, that you do not recollect me, though we have 
met before." I said I did not, and should like to be in- 
formed where I had previously seen her. " Do you recol- 
lect, " said she, " examining two of Mrs. Gibson's pupils on 
their musical capacity ?" I told her I did. " Well," she 
continued, " 1 am the one who you said would, notwith- 
standing her ability, £ive up playing as soon as she had any 
thins: of importance to attend to : there is my instrument; 
it has had a string broken these three months ; but so little 
interest do I take in music, that I have not thought it worth 
while to get it repaired." Subsequent events have led the 
lady into society in which music is a source of entertain- 
ment. She has re-strung her harp and puts her talents 
occasionally to use. She possesses so much musical tal- 
ent that she can perform well, when any of her other fac- 
ulties furnish her with a motive to do so. 

This organ is sometimes diseased. Dr. Combe attended 
a young lady who complained of acute pain at the exter- 
nal angle of the forehead, precisely in the situation of the 
organs of Tune, which were largely developed, and upon 
which, in describing the seat of pain, she placed most ac- 

22* 



258 TUNE. 

curately the points of her fingers. Two days afterward she 
still complained of pain in this region, and stated that she 
had been dreaming a great deal of hearing the finest mu- 
sic. The next day she mentioned the recurrence of her 
musical dreams. But what is very remarkable, the excite- 
ment of the faculty of Tune reached, during the day, a 
height which could not be controlled : the patient felt, 
not to say a desire only, but a strong and irresistible pas- 
sion or craving for music, which it was painful beyond en- 
durance to repress. She insisted on getting up and being 
allowed to play and sing. That being inadvisable, she 
begged to have a fi iend sent to play for her : but the cra- 
ving becoming intolerable: she seized a guitar, lay down 
upon the sofa, and fairly gave way to the torrent with a 
volume, clearness and strength of voice, and a facility of 
execution which was astonishing. Regarding these phe» 
nomena as arising from the over-excitement of the organ 
of Tune. Dr. Combe directed the continued local applica- 
tion of cold, and such other measures as tended to allay the 
action, and the lady soon regained her ordinary state.* 

* In thinking of time, the eyes are turned upward ; and in calculating, 
they are cast downwards and outwards. Spurz. Phren. Vol. i. 324. 



LANGUAGE. 2&9 



LECTURE XI. 
33. Language. 

A large development of this organ is indicated by a 
prominence or depression of the eyes, which is produced 
by a convolution of the brain, situated on the posterior part 
of the orbitary plate, pressing it and the eye more or less 
forward or downward, according to the size of the convo- 
lution. When small, the eye is deeply sunk in the skull. 
In these heads of Dean Swift, Voltaire, Gibbon, Pope, Dr. 
Johnson, and Humboldt, you see it very large ; in the head 
of Frazer, you see it small. There is a difficulty in defi- 
ning the precise function of this faculty. It takes cogni- 
zance, however, of the artificial signs by which we repre- 
sent ideas. Recollect it gives signs only ; ideas are given 
by the other faculties. Form gives the idea of a square or 
circle for instance ; Language supplies the word or sound 
by which we are enabled to call up the idea in the minds 
of others. 

Metaphysicial authors complain of the indefiniteness of 
terms ; but phrenology teaches us, that this vagueness arises 
from the different combination of the faculties in different 
individuals. As long as men do not agree in their organi- 
zation, they cannot agree in their conception of the mean- 
ing of words expressive of emotion and judgments. Sup- 
pose we take the word Conscientiousness, for instance ; the 
idea attached to it by Melancthon, and that attached to it 
by Haggart, must differ exceedingly ; no definiteness of 
expression could ever give the one the comprehensive con- 
ception of the other. Again, the idea attached to the word 



260 LANGUAGE 

Colour by a blind man, must differ much from that which 
it generally represents. So to Anne Ormerod you could 
not, by any combination of words, give a clear idea of the 
meaning of Melody and Harmony ; nor to Mr. Milne, of 
Scarlet. In consequence of the difference in the faculties 
of men, definitions themselves are very differently appre- 
hended. Mathematical language is definite, because not 
expressive of feelings and ideas which differ in different 
individuals, but of precise and determinate proportions of 
space and number. It is utterly impossible, therefore, to 
frame a philosophical language, like numbers in mathemat- 
ics, applicable with perfect precision to moral disquisitions. 
All men agree to use the words justice, charity, and oth- 
ers ; but question different persons about the ideas which 
they attach to these words, and you find that they widely 
differ. 

Education has been conducted on the fundamental er- 
ror that words can explain words; but you can have no 
means of knowing their meaning, except the emotion named 
be felt, and the idea indicated be perceived. The idea may 
be possessed without the word, and the word without the 
idea. Hence the absurdity of so much attention to mere 
words as is now paid ; though you put the whole of John- 
son's dictionary into the mind of a person, you will not 
have educated him. 

An author will be found to use those words with the 
most clearness and felicity, which express mental feelings 
or operations naturally vigorous in himself; but to fail 
when he attempts to elucidate subjects requiring a large 
development of such organs as in him are weak. Thus 
Moore uses epithets and illustrations expressive of attach- 
ment with inimitable beauty. Mr. Stewart manifests cor- 
rectness and elegance in narrative and when treating of the 
moral sentiments, but becomes loose and inaccurate when 
he enters upon original abstract discussion, requiring the 
activity of the higher intellectual powers. 



LANGUAGE. 261 

In this head of Sir J. C. Smith, Language is very promi- 
nent ; in this of Wordsworth, moderate ; in this of Canova- 
small. The difference between small Language and large 
is this : in the former case, an individual has one or two ap- 
propriate words for each idea; in the latter, he has several, 
his verbal affluence is great ; and with such an organiza- 
tion as Canova's, he would be able to rise to the highest 
order of eloquence. When Language is very large, with- 
out a good general intellect, it is surprising what a volume 
of words can be poured forth to express a very few ideas, 
and sometimes to express no ideas at all. Large Lan- 
guage and Individuality, with great Rapidity, promote pun- 
ning, and that style of wit designated as " good things," 
" apropos remarks," " clever hits," which I have seen 
greatly manifested when the organ called Wit has been 
very moderately developed. 

I have noticed that he is not always the best Latin and 
Greek scholar who has the largest organ of Language. 
Such a head as this of Roscoe, in which Individuality, 
Eventuality and Comparison are large, is well adapted to 
give readiness in such acquisitions. 

The following very interesting case of disease in this or- 
gan was communicated by Mr. Hood of Kilmarnock. 
, A person suddenly forgot the name of every object in na- 
\ ture, though his knowledge of things seemed unimpaired. 
When Mr. Hood called, the patient, by a variety of signs, 
gave him to understand that he was perfectly well in every 
I teapect, except a slight pain referable to the eyebrows. He 
comprehended every word which was spoken or addressed 
to him, and though he had ideas adequate to a full reply, 
Hie words by which to express them were absent. Yes and 
No, were the only two words which he never entirely forgot. 
This patient died between two and three years afterward, 
and a lesion was found in the left hemisphere of the brain, 
which terminated at half an inch from the surface, where 
it rests over the middle of the superorbital plate. It ap- 



262 LANGUAGE. 

pears to me that the lesion's being on one side only, ac- 
counts for his power of understanding words while he had 
not the power of employing them. 

A Presbyterian clergyman of Bath used to object to 
phrenology, as unsupported by evidence and the authority 
of good names. His wife was seized with the apoplexy, 
and when she recovered, her power of using w r ords was 
found to be impaired, though her other faculties were entire. 
She could understand language when addressed to her, 
and articulate perfectly, but could not use words to express 
her own ideas. After this event, he ceased to condemn 
the science. She recovered, but for some time after made 
many blunders. I was told of the following among oth- 
ers : A clergyman came to the table in a somewhat sloven- 
ly condition as to dress, and, instead of asking him if he 
would have some soup, she inquired if he would have some 
clean linen. 

Mr. Brown, of Scotland, who is superintendent of a great 
lunatic asylum, and an excel! nt phrenologist, thinks this 
organ is sometimes singly diseased, in cases where words 
are sent forth incessantly without meaning or coherency. 
Physicians should be careful, therefore, to distinguish be- 
tween actions and expressions, in their investigations and 
testimony concerning cases of insanity. He thinks that 
the manifestation of what is called the "gift of tongues" 
among the Irvingites, and others, depends in part upon de- 
rangement of this organ. That the brain is deranged, is 
sufficiently evident from the appearance of such persons 
in a paroxysm — the bright, piercing and restless eyes, the 
extended and waving arms, the unusually deep, full voice, 
and wild manner, often continue till they fall down ex- 
hausted.* 

* A man was one day presented to Frederick II., endowed with such 
a memory, that he recited by heart a considerable piece which he had 
never heard read but once. The same day, Voltaire had to read some 
verses to the king. Frederick concealed the stranger behind a screen- 



COMPARISON. 

34. Comparison. 



263 




2. 



1. 

1. Pitt. Indiv. moderate 

2. .Moore. Indiv. large. 

3. Sheridan. Indiv. large. 




Event, large. Comp. rather large. 
Event, small. Comp. very large 
Event, large. Comp. full. 



This organ occupies the middle of the superior portion 
of the forehead. When predominant, it gives to this re- 

and when Voltaire had finished reading, he told him that the piece was 
neither new nor of his composition ; and then made his accomplice ap- 
pear, who recited it and maintained that he had himself composed it 
twenty years before. Let the reader judge of the fury of the irascible 
Voltaire, and of the shouts of the philosopher of Sans Souci. Gall, v. 10. 
When one has frequent occasions of observing animals, he learns to 
understand their language, and knows the different inflexions assumed 
by the cry of the cock, the chicken, and other birds, according to the 
sentiment or idea, which they wish to express. I saw a flock of ducks 
utter confused sounds with all the marks of inquietude; their singular 
movements fixed my attention ; I could not doubt that they were occu- 
pied with something that greatly interested them; their inquietude be- 
came every moment more visible; at length a duck, that had run from 
a distance with full speed, threw herself into the court. All her com- 
panions received her with marks of the most lively joy; all approached 
her, extended their heads towards her, stooping down, wagging their 
tails, and making a sort of reverence. The quacking became more 
and more animated and all finished by retiring much pleased, into their 
cover. Now will any one tell me that these ducks did not speak to 
each other? I am informed of all the wants of my dogs by the differ- 
ent sounds which they utter. My monkey manifests by sounds always 
modified, the most varied wants, sentiments, affections, and ideas. There 
are none even to my domestics, who do not understand this language. 
Gall, v. 30. 



264 COMPARISON. 

gion a rounded fullness. Dr. Gall often conversed with a 
savant possessing much vivacity of mind, who, whenever 
put to difficulty in proving rigorously his positions, had 
always recourse to a comparison, and thus escaped at a 
tangent. By this means he, in a manner, painted his ideas, 
and his opponents were defeated and carried along with 
him ; — effects which he never could produce by simple ar- 
gument. He found in his head an eminence in the form 
of a reversed pyramid in this region. Subsequent instances 
fully established the organ. 

Comparison discovers analogies, resemblances and dif- 
ferences. You perceive it very large in the heads of Sheri- 
dan, Chalmers, and Dr. Thomson. In those of Pope, Dr. 
Johnson, and Gibbon, you see it, Language and Eventuali- 
ty, very large. We have an organ of Tune which com- 
pares tunes ; one of Colour which compares colours ; and 
it may be asked — what need is there, then, of a distinct or- 
gan of Comparison? Comparison compares things of 
different natures, as a note and a colour ; and combines 
the results of the other faculties harmoniously. Time 
would be pleased with good music ; but Comparison would 
be offended at sprightly music, however good, on a mourn- 
ful occasion. It adjudges the appropriateness of black as 
the clothing of grief. 

This organ takes within its sphere, and shows the resem- 
blances of, things the most opposite in kind. It compares 
a light seen afar in a dark night, to a good deed shining in 
a naughty world ; or the kingdom of Heaven, to a grain of 
mustard seed. It finds analogies between the qualities of 
matter and of mind : Thus we speak of a beautiful senti- 
sentiment, a sparkling thought, profound awe, light de- 
meanour, a solid argument, black despair, a cutting re- 
proof, a heavy accusation, a brilliant conception, an entan- 
gled oration, a soft reply, a burning rage, a freezing terror, 
a hard answer, a biting sarcasm. It is the fountain of pro- 
verbs: as "a cat in gloves catches no mice;" "a fat kitch- 



CAUSALITY. 266 

en makes a lean will ;" " the sleepy fox catches no poul 
try," as Poor Richard says. Moore has it of great size ; 
and the Westminster Review remarked that there are two 
thousand five hundred similes in his life of Sheridan, be- 
sides metaphors and allegorical expressions. Its activity 
is essential to allegories: as the Vision of Mirza. 

This faculty attaches us to comparison without determin- 
ing its kinds; and as we are most familiar with those ob- 
jects which are related to our most active faculties, from 
them are our analogies chiefly drawn. He who has Lo- 
cality large, will draw thence his examples. Dr. Chalmers 
craws his illustrations from mechanics and astronomy; 
and the organs which take cognizance of these are large 
in his mask. Comparison is more rarely deficient than 
any other of the intellectual powers ; and the Scriptures 
are addressed to it in an eminent degree. 

Comparison is large in all popular speakers, as you see 
in Pitt, Curran and Sheridan. It is large in the North 
American Indians, who often manifest it. It aids the ora- 
tor, by giving him a command of figures ; and its mani- 
festations are often mistaken for Ideality. But Compari- 
son produces no passion, no intense feeling or enthusiasm ; 
it calmly and coolly plays off its sparkling fire-works ; but 
Ideality infuses passion, prompts the mind to soar after the 
beautiful, the splendid, and the sublime. Combine large 
Comparison with great Individuality and Causality, and 
the similes will be copious, ingenious and appropriate ; add 
Jarge Ideality, and they will now twinkle in delicate loveli- 
ness like a star, now blaze in meridian splendour like the 
sun ; while intense feeling and lofty enthusiasm will impart 
strength and majesty to all the conceptions. 

35. Causality. 

This organ is situated on the upper and lateral parts of 
the forehead, and when large gives prominence to these 
parts. Franklin is the most splendid instance of Compari- 

•23 



SSG CAUSALITY. 

son and Causality which we possess. Causality is large in 
Rammohun Roy, Kant and Burke. Dr. Thomas Brown 
says : " A cause is that which precedes any change, and 
which, existing at any time in similar circumstances, has 
been always, and will be always, immediately followed by 
a similar change. Priority in the sequence observed, and 
invariableness of antecedence in the past and future se- 
quences, supposed, are the elements and only elements, 
combined in the nature of a cause." According to this 
definition, day is the cause of night and night the cause 
of day ; but this is a definition by means of Individuality ! 
and Eventuality merely, and is not complete. In addition j 
to invariable sequence, an impression of power or efficien- 
cy in the antecedent to produce the consequent, appears to I 
me to be excited in the mind by contemplating instances I 1 
of causation in nature ; and to be the primitive mental af- 
fection connected with this organ. Suppose a bent bow, 
with the arrow drawn to the head, but retained in that po- 
sition, be presented; it is an object of still life, of simple a 
existence, exciting Individuality ; when it expands and the 
arrow starts from the string, it becomes an object of Even- 
tuality ; but beside, an instinctive impression is generated 1 
in the mind of efficiency in the bow to propel the arrow; \t 
and this is given by the faculty under consideration. The k 
most illiterate savage would repeat the operation with con- it 
fidence that the effect would follow. A monkey would not, \% 
though it saw the act repeated a thousand times: I have iff 
seen this tried. A monkey was kept by a family with >] 
which I was acquainted. It was the custom of the boys to \ { 
shoot at apples on the tree and bring them down. The * 
monkey being very fond of apples, used to pick them up to i|j 
eat. I wanted to see whether it could be taught to use the 
bow and arrow for the purpose of supplying itself; I there- I 
fore got the boys to bring down apples in this way often in 
its presence, then leave the bow and arrow with it ; but it 
never attempted to use them. Again it is said that there 



CAUSALITY. 267 

are monkeys among the rocks of Gibraltar that watch the 
carpenters at work on the beach, and often see them put 
wood on their fires to keep them burning. As soon as the 
carpenters retire they come down, in cold weather, from the 
rocks, sit around the fire, and warm themselves with the 
great delight ; but though the fuel for keeping up the fires 
lies all around, they never attempt to replenish them by a 
fresh supply. It is the possession of this faculty which, 
more than any other, gives man such an immense superi- 
ority over the brutes. 

Causality gives the conception of causation in all its 
forms. It gives facility in divining the motives of men ; is 
an essential element of a profound and comprehensive in- 
tellect, and in such as possess great instinctive sagacity, 
as Napoleon and Franklin. In Wordsworth, as you see, 
this organ is large, and by its too great manifestation he 
mystifies his poetry. Some like his poetry very much; oth- 
ers dislike it. I find those who admire it, to have Ideality 
and Causality large. Wherever Wordsworth is not pro- 
found he appears to me puerile. This organ is very large 
in Brunell, and is the fountain of his immense resources. 
Here is a mask of Lord Brougham, and it indicates his 
essential character. His forte lies in the knowing faculties, 
which are immense, in large propensities and sentiments, 
great Firmness and Self-Esteem, and an iron tempera- 
ment ; Brougham is a learned and Herculean but not pro- 
found man. This is the head of Pitt, the celebrated En- 
glish Minister, in which you see Causality only moderate ; 
he was not profound, but a great manufacturer of expedi- 
ents, a master of details, a ready and plausible speaker. 
Had he possessed enough of Causality, he would have fore- 
seen that the more atrocities the French committed the 
sooner they would blaze out ; that while destroying each 
other^ they were the least formidable to their neighbours — 
he would have saved his country oceans of blood and 
countless treasure ; but his long administration was one of 



268 CAUSALITY. 

expedients, his great principle being to mark what Napo- 
leon did, and do precisely the reverse. I consider him 
to have been a greater evil to England than any other 
man that ever lived. Gall, as you see, had immense Cau- 
sality, Comparison, and Individuality, and in his dis- 
covery he manifested the great activity of these organs, be- 
ing the first to notice facts and trace their causes and con- 
sequences, which had been presented to the observation of 
all men for six thousand years. This organ, too, is large, 
as you see, in Elliotson, Spurzheim, Ariosto, Tasso, Mil- 
ton, Sully, Lord Kaimes, Bacon, and also in Cobbett, as 
you see by this portrait. 

I have seen a number of striking instances illustrative 
of Causality in deficient and ample development. A ques- 
tion arose in an evening party concerning the cause of the 
harvest moon. In one gentleman present, Individuality 
and Eventuality predominated ; in another, Causality was 
the larger intellectual organ. In an instant the former 
said that it was owing to the moon's advancing North at 
the time of her being full. The latter paused for a time, 
and added : " Yes, sir, you are quite right." Observing 
that they arrived at the result by different mental processes, 
I asked them how they knew this to be the case. The 
first said : "Oh, I recollect that Professor Playfair stated it 
in his lectures to be so." The other replied : I had forgot- 
ten the precise fact, but I recollect the principle on which 
the Professor mentioned it to depend ; by a moment's re- 
flection I followed it out, and arrived at the conclusion 
which this gentlemen has just announced." This is a 
striking example of the mode of action of these different 
faculties. Individuality knows only facts, Eventuality 
events, and Causality principles. 

When Causality is ill developed, facts are not generally 
considered as having a necessary dependence and connec- 
tion, however obvious such dependence and connection 
may be to those in whom this organ is large, such facts will 



MATERIALISM 269 

be considered as curious coincidences. From this class 
of minds, ever ready to catcli superficial glimpses, the pub- 
lic received the first accounts of phrenology, and on them 
is chargeable the misrepresentations which so long impe- 
ded its course. 

In treating of Veneration, I mentioned that it gives the 
tendency to worship, while Causality gives the knowledge 
of God. Suppose the human body be investigated, (and 
in my opinion no subject is calculated to lead the mind to 
the conviction of a Deity's existence more certainly than 
such an investigation,) Individuality and the knowing pow- 
ers, by examining the structure, would present Causality 
with data, from which man could unerringly infer that it was 
made by a great, powerful, benevolent and intelligent Being. 
Indeed, when a mind in which Causality is powerful, surveys 
the phenomena of nature, the conviction of a Cause of them 
arises intuitively and irresistibly from the mere exercise of 
the faculty. Voltaire had large Causality, you have heard 
of him as an Infidel, and phrenologists have been told by 
way of objection that his organ of Veneration was large. 
It is true that he was an unbeliever in Christianity, and 
that his Veneration was large, but there is no contradiction 
here. Belief in any religion should depend on evidence ; 
and intellect judges of evidence. Voltaire's Veneration, 
was manifested in his sycophancy to Kings and persons of 
high rank : also in his sense of natural religion. He was 
called, in his own age and country, a fanatic, for erecting 
a church at Ferney, which stands to this day, with the fol- 
lowing inscription upon it: " Erected to God by Voltaire." 

MATERIALISM. 

I have now described the situation and functions of the 
various organs ; and the question presents itself, What is 
the substance of the mind? Against phrenology the cry 
of Materialism has been raised. I shall therefore proceed 
to consider this subject. 

2:3* 



270 MATERIALISM. 

The great error of many is, that they expect to settle the 
question of immortality by determining the substance of 
the mind. They seem to suppose that if it be constituted 
of some very refined and noble material, it must be inten- 
ded for a glorious destiny ; but that if it be made of gross 
materials it cannot become the inhabitant of any sphere 
higher than the earth, or have any existence prolonged 
beyond that of the body. Now this conclusion is unsound. 
Man has not the power of discovering for what any thing is 
destined, by an examination of its substance. Present the 
chemist with an acorn — do you think that by examining its 
substance he can tell that it is destined to become a stately 
oak ? Present him with the egg of a crocodile, and the 
egg of an ostrich — would he be able to tell you, by exam- 
ining their substance, which would produce the one and 
which the other animal? Would you expect him, by 
chemical or any other form of examination to tell you that 
the egg of a caterpillar would first turn to a dirty-looking 
worm, then to an inert chrysalis, and finally burst forth a 
butterfly radiant with beauty and elegance? You know 
that to examine the substance in order to ascertain these 
things would be utter folly ; and it is just as futile to at- 
tempt to ascertain the nature of mind or its destiny by an 
attempt to ascertain its substance. All that we can disco- 
ver of the brain is, that it is composed of water* white and 
red fatty matter, osmezome, albumen, and various salts ; 
but that the brain is the mind we do not maintain, and 
think it impossible to prove. Of the substance of the mind 
we know absolutely nothing. But suppose the soul to be 
material, how would its incapacity for immortality be 
proved ? By what means would the objector demonstrate 
it to be too hard for the joys of heaven, or too soft for the 
flames of hell ? 

Materialism is a great phantom which frightens weak 
minds. I wish they would reduce their ideas to order and 
to a precise form. They assume that they know that the 



MATERIALISM* 271 

mind is immaterial, I deny they have any means of deter- 
mining of what essence it is compo: bJ, Reason and Reve- 
Jation are equally silent concerning the essence of the mind. 
Again — they assume that phrenology necessarily leads to 
the belief that it is material. In this assumption they com- 
mit two blunders — first, phrenologists profess to know 
nothing- of the essence of the mind. Secondly, If phrenol- 
olgy did show, by legitimate evidence, that the mind is 
material, what would follow ? Why, that matter is the best 
possible substance, isasmuch as mind is the work of the 
Creator, both in substance and endowment. 

This question of substance has, then, nothing to do with 
phrenology. But though the mind may be immaterial, we 
must dismiss the supposition that mind can be manifested 
without matter. Many, indeed, suppose that consciousness 
determines that we think without material agents; but this 
is a vulgar error. We are not conscious of an olfactory, 
gustatory, optic, or auditory nerve ; yet all know that to 
smell, taste, see or hear without them is impossible. It is 
true, indeed, that we do not feel a material substance with- 
in, elaborating thought and emotion, but neither do we feel 
a spiritual substance. Consciousness, therefore, leaves the 
matter precisely where it finds it. 

The question of Materialism is as foolish and unimpor- 
tant as the one so much agitated in the dark ages, of how 
many angels can dance on the point of a needle; and has 
nothing whatever to do with the question of Immortality. 
" The writers in favour of the immortality of the soul," 
says Dr. Rush, " have done that truth great injury by con- 
necting it necessarily with its immateriality. The immortali- 
ty of the soul depends on the will of the Deity, and not on 
any supposed properties of spirit. Matter is in its own 
nature as immortal as spirit. It is resolvable by heat and 
mixture into a variety of forms ; but it requires the same 
Almighty hand to annihilate it that it did to create it." To 
ascertain the qualities of the mind is the only true mode 



272 MATERIALISM. 

of discovering man's nature and destiny, and the sphere 
for which he is adapted. By examining the fins and struct- 
ure of the fish, you perceive its adaptation to water; by 
examining the wings and structure of a bird, you perceive 
its adaptation to the air — so, to understand man's destiny, 
his qualities must be investigated. And what are these 
qualities ? We find man with faculties which the lower 
animals do not possess ; he is capable of soaring far be- 
yond sublunary space, and comprehending worlds and sys- 
tems of worlds ; he has Hope pointing out futurity as an 
object of ceaseless anxiety and contemplation, and leading 
him to desire a life beyond the grave ; he has Ideality, 
giving aspirations after perfection, which this world cannot 
satisfy; he has Benevolence, giving him a desire to see 
those afflictions which men here suffer put far away ; he 
has Conscientiousness, craving for a state of things in 
which Justice shall reign supreme; he has Veneration, 
prompting him to more immediate communion with a God 
whom he adores. Now the intellect knows that these 
aspirations cannot be fully satisfied by any thing which 
earth affords, and concludes that there is some other sphere 
in which they may be gratified. And it is folly to fear 
that all these glorious aspirations will be defeated, by the 
Creator having chosen a wrong substance out of which to 
constitute the mind* 



ON THE TEMPERAMENTS. 273 



INTERVENING LECTURE ON THE TEMPERAMENTS. 



Mr. Combe commenced this, by repeating the explanation of the 
temperaments given in his second lecture. He then remarked that 
to familiarize the class with the various signs enumerated, he would re- 
quest members to stand in his place, and allow the rest to judge of 
their temperament, and at the close of each examination he would make 
such corrections as he deemed necessary. As a commencement, he 
subjected himself to examination; on which a gentleman denominated 
his temperament nervous bilious, which Mr. Combe considered correct, 
remarking that in his younger days, the bilious predominated, but ow- 
ing to great and long continued mental activity, the nervous now pre- 
vails. 

During the examinations, Mr. Combe called attention to the three 
great visceral cavities, remarking that on their relative size, tempera- 
ment greatly depends. Thus if the abdominal and thoracic cavities be 
small and the cranial cavity large, the nervous temperament is indicated. 
If the abdomen and skull be comparatively small, and the chest large, 
the sanguine temperament is indicated. The abdomen's predominance 
indicates the lymphatic temperament. He called attention to the many 
confirmatory instances presented by the examination. In most of the 
gentlemen examined there was a striking correspondence between the 
signs before enumerated, the account which they gave of their mental 
and physical activity, and the relative size of the three great cavities. 

An elderly gentleman's temperament was said to be nervous sanguine. 
To this he objected on account of certain conditions of the body, exist- 
ing in his youth, this led Mr. Combe to dwell somewhat at length on 
the changes which the temperament undergoes by a long continued 
course of training. He illustrated his remarks, by relating a conversation 
he once had with Dr. Spurzheim in which that gentleman informed him, 
that he had originally, a large portion of the lymphatic temperament, as 
had all his family; but that in himself, the lymphatic had gradually di- 
minished, and the nervous gradually increased ; whereas in his sisters, 
owing to mental inactivity, the reverse had happened, and, when he 
visited tb^m, after being absent many years, he found them, to use his 
own expression, " as large as tans." 

The examination had proceeded for some time, when Mr. Combe in- 



274 ON THE EXAMINATION OF HEADS. 

vited the ladies to come forward, remarking that in Boston, some hadf 
done so, and in Philadelphia, many. After evidence of reluctance 
some consented, on which the lecturer said, " I cannot allow the occa- 
sion to pass without complimenting the ladies on this example. I 
would say with the greatest respect, that on comparing the ladies of this, 
with those of the old eountr) ; the former appear to me to possess a 
great deal more mauvaise honte. There is a backwardness to come for- 
ward on occasions which are perfectly appropriate, lest their conduct 
should appear bold and singular. Now no one can appreciate female 
delicacy more highly than I, but when a thing is proper to be done, and 
the time appropriate, ladies ought to have sufficient confidence to do, 
what they deem right. They will always be supported and borne out by 
the good sense and magnanimity of their friends and the community." 
The lecturer remarked on the practical examination of heads, that 
we ought first to take the measurement with a pair of callipers from 
The occipital spine to Individuality. 
From Concentrativeness to Comparison. 

" Ear to occipital spine. 

" Ear to Individuality. 

" Ear to Comparison. 

" Destruetiveness to Destructiveness, 

" Secretiveness to Secretiveness. 

" Cautiousness to Cautiousness. 

" Ideality to Ideality. 

" Construed veness to Constructiveness. 
" These measurements are for the purpose of determining the absolute 
size of the head. In speaking of the distinct organs we use the terms 
small, moderate, full, and large, and to each may add minus or plus. 
Now, in using these terms, we speak relatively, the relation being be- 
tween each respective organ, and the remaining organs of the same 
head ; hence the necessity of measurement. Thus I may say of my 
fingers, that this is small, this moderate, this full and this large; but I 
might use the same terms in speaking of a child's fingers, though the 
largest of its hand would be smaller than the smallest of mine."* 

* It would be well if all phrenologists, in their statement of cerebral 
development, would use a uniform scale of words and numerals, 
instead of the variety now employed. The following scale appears to 
me the most appropriate. 



1. 


Idiocy. 


6. 


Rather full. 


2. 


Very small. 


7. 


Full. 


3. 


Small. 


8. 


Rather large. 


4. 


Rather small. 


9. 


Large. 


5. 


Moderate. 


10. 


Very Large. 



PRACTICAL UTILITY OF PHRENOLOGY. 275 

u After determining the measurements, you should proceed to ascertain 
the size of the respective regions, by the method before explained. 

"Having done this, you should proceed to examine the individual or- 
gans; you may at first make mistakes, but return to the same head again 
and again, until you have become familiar with it. And I would advise 
you never to examine a head in part; always go through every organ; 
this creates the necessity of finding the location of each, and in judging 
of character, saves you from many errors. Perhaps the Edinburgh 
phrenologists owe their superiority more to their practical knowledge 
than to anything else. We made it a condition of admission to our 
society, that every new associate should submit his head to examination 
by each of the members, who afterwards compared notes; in this way 
they became so accurate that in six examinations, by different gentle- 
men, there would be no difference of opinion. 

"Do not be discouraged if the characteryou think the head to indicate 
does not agree with that which the individual deems himself to possess; 
a great many persons are unacquainted with themselves. I knew a lady 
whose character was written out by a phrenologist, and she was so 
amused with its blunders, as she called them, that she carried it about 
with her to show it to all her friends. They all recognised the great ac- 
curacy with which it described her, and laughed at the graphic descrip- 
tion of her self-esteem and singularities of manner; she supposed, how- 
ever, that they were laughing not at her character, but at the phrenologist. 

"I have found phrenology to be of the greatest service to me in choos- 
ing clerks and servants or domestic helps as you call them. When in 
the profession of the law, I never would employ a clerk who had not a 
iarge coronal region. And this has been my practice too with regard to 
domestics, for the last ten years; I would rather trust to an examination, 
indeed, than to a certificate of character. Being in want of a servant, 
one applied who had an excellent coronal region and good intellectual 
development. My niece went to inquire of her character from her late 
employer, and was told that she was disagreeable, disobliging, and the 
worst tempered creature she had ever employed. I said this cannot be 
correct, I will employ her. I did so, she remained with me three years 
and behaved excellently ; she is now married and an exemplary wife 
and mother. I afterwards learned the reason of this dislike on the part 
of her former employer. The lady had a smaller brain, less coronal 
and intellectual region than the servant, she instinctively felt her inferi- 
ority ; this irritated her, and she became very unreasonable and some- 
what abusive, which occasionally roused the servant's self-esteem and 
combativeness, and produced disagreeable scenes. 

"Those who thus apply phrenology find its great advantage, and this 
in spite ff the sneers of the ignorant and presumptuous, who seem to 
think nothing can be true till believed in by them. The Pope once de* 



276 OPPOSITION TO PHRENOLOGY. 

clared that the world did not turn round; at the same time, that it was 
turning round, and carrying him and his whole college of cardinals 
around with it. Men say that phrenology is not true, at the same time 
that their own heads demonstrate it. I was much amused the other day 
at a gentleman approaching me with the tone and natural language of 
combativeness, and attacking me on account of phrenology. Having 
made up my mind as to its truth, and being at perfect ease on the sub- 
ject, I did not feel inclined to disturb myself with quarrelling, so I talked 
as calmly as I do now, yet it was ten minutes before the language of 
combativeness disappeared. Thus while opposing phrenology, hb or- 
ganization and manner were proofs of its truth." 



MODES OF ACTIVITY. 277 



LECTURE XII. 

MODES OF ACTIVITY OF THE FACULTIES. 

Any organ whatever may come into activity from the mere 
stimulus of the blood, and consequently involuntarily. It 
may be inferred, therefore, that each organ has a necessary, 
natural and virtuous sphere of activity ; else would the Crea- 
tor have formed some organs for the especial purpose of 
doing wrong. I have before explained to you the effect of 
temperament. You know, of course, that the rapidity of the 
spontaneous action will much depend on it, and the power, 
on the size of the organ. Intensity results from an active 
temperament, combined with large size. One in whom the 
lymphatic temperament predominates, will have a slow 
spontaneous action ; the action of the other temperaments 
will, of course, be stronger. 

MODES OF ACTIVITY OF THE PROPENSITIES AND SENTIMENTS. 

The faculties of the Propensities and Sentiments cannot 
be excited to activity directly by a mere act of the will. 
We cannot conjure up the emotions of Fear, Compassion, 
and Veneration, by merely willing to experience them. 
The feelings may, however, be brought into activity from 
internal causes : some feel an internal prompting to fight or 
oppose ; some to pursue wealth ; some are passionately 
fond of the constructive arts, without knowing whence, 
how, or why these feelings came. They spring from the 
spontaneous activity of the organs by which they are se- 
verally manifested, and each organ has a tendency to ac- 
tivity in proportion, caeteris paribus, to its size. From this 

24 



278 MODES OF ACTIVITY. 

activity arises the subject of continual thought. One in 
whom Love of Approbation and Self-Esteem are large, 
will be fired with ambition, and love to be clothed with au- 
thority. I saw a child yesterday, eight years of age, in 
whom Love of Approbation, Imitation, Individuality and 
Eventuality are large ; and already the chief desire he has 
is to see his name in print. Insanity is the result of this 
spontaneous action, when excessive and not controlable by 
the will. Sometimes one organ is morbidly active, while the 
others are sane ; there have been instances of people re- 
questing to be bound, that they might be prevented from 
giving way to their strong desire to commit manslaughter. 
In such cases, to convince the intellect is useless ; the aber- 
ration depends on cerebral disease : and you might as well 
attempt to talk gout out of the toe, as to talk disease out of 
the brain. 

In the next place, each faculty may be roused into ac- 
tivity by the presentment of its appropriate objects. Thus, 
Benevolence is roused by a scene of distress ; Philopro- 
geaitiveness by the sight of children ; Ideality by whatever 
is beautiful. When we become acquainted with this law, 
we obtain, to a great extent, the mastery over the activity 
of the faculties. But the propensities and sentiments may, 
in the next place, be roused by words which convey such 
ideas as stimulate them to activity. Thus, the description 
of a beautiful scene may produce activity in Ideality. This 
last is, however, the least effective stimulus ; to present a 
scene of distress appeals much more powerfully to Bene- 
volence than to describe one. Suppose a shipwreck be 
vividly described : it may greatly excite the feelings ; but if 
a shipwreck be witnessed, there can be no doubt of its ex- 
citing them ten times more. Sometimes the excitement pro- 
duced by a powerful external stimulus is such as to disorder 
the faculties. A gentleman was sailing, in his own small 
pleasure yacht, down the Clyde, when a sudden flaw of 
wind came from a gap in the mountains and upset the ves 



ON THE DRAMA. 279 

sel in which he was, throwing it on its beam-ends. He and 
his companions hold on, in the expectation of assistance; 
but in half an hour another flaw came, and righted the 
vessel. They were all saved, and immediately sailed to 
Belfast to attend a regatta. He said that while in the water, 
he was not conscious of great perturbation or excitement ; 
the blue and seemingly unfathomable Clyde, lay beneath 
and around them, smoothly and calmly. On his return, 
however, he applied to Dr. Combe, on account of a singu- 
lar malady. Since the accident in the Clyde, he had been 
subject to sudden fits of fear and apprehension — to starting 
and perturbation, without any adequate external cause, 
which was doubtless a diseased condition of the organ of 
Cautiousness. He was under treatment six or eight months 
before he got rid of the affection. 

" It seems," says David Hume, " an unaccountable plea- 
sure which the spectators of a well-written tragedy receive 
from sorrow, terror, anxiety, and other passions that are in 
themselves disagreeable and uneasy. The more they are 
touched and affected, the more are they delighted with the 
spectacle. The whole art of the poet is employed in rous- 
ing and supporting the compassion and indignation, the 
anxiety and resentment of his audience. They are pleased 
in proportion as they are affected, and never are so happy 
as when they employ tears, sobs and cries to give vent to 
their sorrow, and relieve their hearts, swollen with the ten- 
derest sympathy and compassion." This enigma is ex- 
plained by the remarks before made on the activity of the 
respective faculties, occasioned by the presentation of the 
appropriate objects. 

All happiness consists in the agreeable excitement of our 
faculties, and activity is the very essence of gratification. 
Now on the stage, the words and natural language of emo- 
tion are so well imitated, as to arouse the feelings with much 
more energy than words alone could do. In the play of 
Pizarro,*for instance, when the child is introduced, its as- 



280 ON THE DRAMA. 

pect and situation excite Philoprogenitiveness ; its danger 
arouses Cautiousness, producing fear for its safety. When 
RolJa saves it, Philoprogenitiveness is delighted and Be- 
nevolence gratified. Religious people denounce theatres, 
but a taste for dramatic representations is founded on the 
innate faculties, and is no less inherent than a taste for 
music, sculpture, and painting. If, therefore, the faculties 
which produce these tastes have been instituted by the Crea- 
tor, we may be assured that the drama and the fine arts 
have legitimate, improving and exalting objects, however 
much any of them may have been hitherto abused. Paint 
ing, sculpture and the drama, are mere arts of representa 
tion and expression, which may be made subservient either 
to the animal propensities, or to the moral and intellectual 
powers. In a painting, a statue or a play, may be repre- 
sented either a most lascivious and immoral object, tending 
to excite passions already too strong, or, on the contrary, 
something having a tendency to strengthen our moral and 
religious emotions. Happy, indeed, would it be, could we 
always employ these agents to promote goodness. Our 
plays, at present, are mostly suited to a barbarous age ; but 
this needs not be the case long. By taking away odium 
from the name of the theatre, and encouraging it when 
properly conducted, genius of the highest order would be 
directed to it, plays would be written in accordance with the 
highest morality ; this course appears to me that of wisdom 
and virtue, for the theatre will doubtless exist as long as 
man. Let us hope that some future Shakspeare, aided by 
the true philosophy of mind, and a knowledge of the natu- 
ral laws, according to which good and evil are dispensed in 
the world, will yet teach and illustrate the philosophy of 
human life with all the power and efficacy which lofty ge- 
nius can impart. 

For their amusements people seek the gratification of 
their strongest feelings ; hence from them may the charac- 
ter of a people be inferred. We have heard the praises of 



AMI'S KM ENTS INDICATIVE OP CHARACTER. 281 

Grecian and Roman ladies; but when we read of their 
taking delight in witnessing the combats of beasts with 
eacli other and with men, and in witnessing the fights of 
|ladiators, often putting up their thumbs as a signal that 
the poor wretch that had been wounded for their gratifica- 
tion, should be killed outright to gratify still farther their 
savage thirst for blood ; we say that the Grecians may have 
carried the fine arts to a wonderful degree of advancement, 
and that the Romans may have been great in many things; 
but that in morals they were barbarians ; encouraging 
boastingly what the' people of any modern European 
nation would shrink for shame to be caught witnessing. 
Their refinement and morality were merely on the surface. 
As men advance, they emerge from the propensities and 
rise into the activity of the sentiments. A gentleman told 
me that he recollected the time when prize fighters used to 
go about in England to exhibit themselves for money, in 
single combat ; and that on one occasion, when in a coffee- 
house, he sat in the next box to two of them, whom he over- 
heard making arrangements for their ensuing exhibition. 
They agreed to repel and attack each other with seeming 
fury for a certain time, and that each alternately should 
submit to receive a wound in the flesh, not very deep, but 
sufficient to draw blood. The boxing matches which are 
still practised are similar gratifications of Combativeness 
and Destructiveness. While the people found pleasure in 
such barbarous exhibitions, their general manners were 
those of barbarians. The criminal law was extremely 
bloody ; in the army and navy, the most cruel punishments 
were extensively inflicted ; prisons were dens of horror and 
profligacy ; the pauper insane were treated worse than wild 
beasts, and duels were of frequent occurrence. As the 
moral sentiments increased in activity, these sports were 
altogether or partially abolished, and all the other barbari- 
ties diminished. In the eastern part of this country there 
appears t8 be no amusement of this kind resorted to for the 

24* 



282 PRACTICAL APPLICATION OP PHRENOLOGY. 

purpose of arousing the propensities ; but I saw an ac- 
count the other day, in one of your newspapers, of a duel 
fought at Vicksburgh in the presence of a thousand spec- 
tators, shots being exchanged at ten in the morning, and 
again at four in the afternoon. In Ireland, Curran once 
fought a duel in the presence of ten thousand people. These 
exhibitions can only be relished where the propensities are 
very active. I have been told by the manager of a theatre, 
that when he had no star who could attract a full attend- 
ance, he found it most advantageous to present a bloody 
tragedy or a genteel comedy. In the former case the gal- 
leries would be crowded, though the boxes wo it Id be almost 
empty ; in the latter, the boxes would be pretty well occu- 
pied, but the galleries almost deserted. 

I have said that when an organ is large, its manifestation 
is powerful. The converse is true ; when an organ is small, 
its manifestation is weak. This observation is of great 
practical value. In a child-nurse, Conscientiousness could 
not supply the place of Philoprogenitiveness ; the latter or- 
gan being small, every thing is performed as a task, and 
not with that lively emotion of pleasure which its large de- 
velopment gives. In a sick-nurse, no possible combination 
of the other organs can compensate for the lack of Bene- 
volence, which is the fountain x>f kind attentions. If one 
with Acquisitiveness and the Propensities large, and Con- 
scientiousness small, be placed in an office of trust, the al- 
most certain consequence will be unfaithfulness. The re- 
medy for such evils is to put men into such situations alone, 
as their organization fits them for, and to keep the man of 
strong propensities and deficient moral sentiments out of 
the way of temptation. In this country, as elsewhere, it is 
necessary to intrust postmasters, clerks, and others, with 
large sums of money. Now, if Acquisitiveness, Secretive- 
ness, and the other propensities be large, and Conscien- 
tiousness deficient, unfaithfulness will be the most probable 
result, A private banker in England told me that he never 



INFLUENCE OP EXAMPLE AND TRAINING. 283 

employs a clerk without first ascertaining that his Consci- 
entiousness and moral sentiments predominate over the pro- 
pensities ; and that for the ten years he has practised this, 
he believes he has not lost a farthing. I have followed the 
same rule, with similar success. 

To present to the moral sentiments their appropriate ex- 
citing objects, should be the first great aim of education. 
This is the only true mode to make children act well ; pre- 
cepts may do something, but they are feeble, indeed, com- 
pared with example. Would you have your child benevo- 
lent, engage it early in acts of kindness, and be yourself 
kind. Would you excite its veneration, you must your- 
selves be respectful in your demeanor, treat all with due 
consideration, and be attentive to the duties of religion. I 
saw a beautiful example of appropriate training in Phila- 
delphia. A little ragged negro girl went to a door to beg 
food. The servant gathered some together, and did not 
present it herself, but called a little child, and permitted it 
to do so. In performing this act of charity, its counte- 
nance beamed with joy and goodness. As I looked upon 
the scene, it struck me that this would have more effect in 
training that child to the practice of benevolence, than ten 
lectures on the subject. 

The Propensities and Sentiments have no memory. It 
is imposible to excite or recall directly, by an act of the 
will, the feelings or emotions produced by them. For in- 
stance, suppose you were insulted last January, and that 
this aroused passion in you : The intellect recollects the 
insult, and that you were enraged ; but you are not able to 
call up the rage anew, or to cause the propensities to take 
on precisely the same condition which they did at the time 
the insult was offered. 



284 PERCEPTION. — CONCEPTION. 

MODES OF ACTIVITY OF THE KNOWING AND REFLECTING FA- 
CULTIES. 

The Knowing and Reflecting Faculties form ideas and 
perceive relations ; they constitute will, and minister to the 
gratification of the other faculties, which only feel. 

The knowing organs may be so deficient as not to per- 
ceive their appropriate objects ; this has often been the case 
as regards the organ of colour. When a faculty recognizes 
an object on presentation, we call this act perception ; it 
constitutes the lowest degree of activity of the intellectual 
faculties. I present this bust ; as you perceive it, the facul- 
ties of Form, Size, Colour and Individuality are called in- 
to activity. The old philosophers treated of perception as 
a distinct faculty ; but this it obviously is not, inasmuch as 
the same individual that perceives some things vividly, per- 
ceives others faintly, or not at all. We have seen that Milne 
has a strong perception of form, but is almost destitute of 
the power of perceiving colours. Mr. Ferguson was una- 
ble to perceive the perspective of drawings. I am unable 
to perform any but the most simple calculations. Some, 
again, cannot comprehend reasoning, however clearly it 
may be stated. I have seen much distress occasioned by 
placing persons in situations for which their organization 
did not adapt them. A servant, for instance, who has Or- 
der deficient, is scolded continually, though she evidently 
does her best ; but after she has arranged every thing in 
such way as to please herself, one in whom the organ is 
large, will see confusion. 

The next degree of activity is Conception. I presented 
this bust, and asked you to examine it ; I now put it be- 
hind me, and ask what you recollect of it. Some of 
you cannot tell any thing about its form and features — 
cannot form an ideal image of it ; others can do this. The 
calling up in the mind that which is absent, is called con- 
ception. One in whom locality is small can perceive the 



IMAGINATION. 285 

direction of things from each other, but cannot call up this 
direction when absent ; he in whom it is large can sit in his 
room anil recall vividly the various scenes through which 
he has passed. Some are able to perceive melody, but not 
to conceive it: they may enjoy music when they hear it, 
but cannot for their lives, recall notes which have ceased to 
strike the ear; every thing is wiped out, as with a sponge. 
The same is true of the reflective faculties. Some can 
perceive a chain of reasoning when presented to them, and 
the correctness of the conclusion to which it leads, who are 
utterly unable to recall a single link of that chain. They 
complain of bad memory ; but these very persons may 
have an excellent memory for facts and events. Small or- 
gans of Causality are the cause of their being unable to 
recall a chain of reasoning. 

Imagination is the highest degree of a faculty's activity. 
Suppose you hear the notes of a tune : that is perception. 
Suppose you are able, when the music is not sounding in 
your ears, to call up those notes in your mind as you heard 
them : that is conception. But when the activity of Tune 
is so great that it becomes a well-spring of new combina- 
tions — that music arises in the mind uncalled for, and pours 
through and haunts it in spite even of efforts to get rid of 
the intruder, this constitutes imagination. I may mention, 
as an instance of this spontaneous activity, an anecdote 
of a minister of Scotland, a friend of Dr. Thomson, who 
related to me the circumstance. He got the tune of Mag- 
gie Lawder into his head one Sunday morning, and could 
in no way get rid of it ; at which he was very uneasy, as 
be had to preach a sermon that forenoon. At last he went 
to the end of his glebe, a distance which secured him 
from being heard, and sung it out at the top of his voice 
till the excitement abated. 

You will see, according to this, that a person may have 
great imagination one way, who has extremely little in an- 
other. If JPorm be very large, he may have vivid imagin- 



286 DREAMING. 

ings of objects related to that organ, and be able to deline- 
ate them with fidelity ; but if Colouring be deficient, he 
may at the same time be a most wretched colourist. Ima- 
gination, then, is impassioned conception ; — conception, 
however, in new combinations. 

Dreaming arises from the involuntary action of some of 
the faculties while others are asleep. It is a law of the 
physical organs, that if they be kept in excessive activity, 
that activity will not at once subside ; blood continues to 
rush into them, and the nervous excitement to glow. This 
is true of the organs of the brain. Such as have been 
over-exercised will, after the rest have gone to sleep, keep 
dreaming and dreaming on the subject of the day, as 
though they could not find repose. On the other hand, 
when not sufficiently exercised, the cerebral organs seem 
during sleep, to take on spontaneous activity, and to dis- 
port themselves. Dreams are generally the result either of 
the continued activity of those organs which have been 
over-excited, or the spontaneous activity of those which 
have been unemployed. When the functions have been 
equally and sufficiently exercised, but not over-tasked, un- 
disturbed and perfect repose is generally the result. 

Absolute wakefulness is often occasioned by too intense 
cerebral activity. This is illustrated by the following in- 
cident: The Rev. Mr. Bedford, of Bath, told me that be- 
fore he knew phrenology, it was his practice to set apart one 
day a week in his school, for the recitation of all the Greek 
grammar which the boys under his charge had previously 
learned, and to stimulate them to the utmost. The morn- 
ing after one recitation-day, he was told that a boy was fe- 
verish, and unfit to rise. He went to inquire the cause. 
" Oh, sir," said the boy, " I could not sleep all night for 
the Greek grammar." " But why," said Mr. Bedford, 
" did you not blow out the candle, and shut your eyes?" 
" I did, sir," said the boy, " but for all that, I saw the 
counterpane and walls, and every thing, covered with Greek 



DREAMING. — 1'oRK WARNING. 287 

grammar all the night." I [ere you see Language and Forip 
excited to an extent which should never bl allowed in edu- 
cation. 

Mr. G., architect, in Bath, presented plans for the new 
House of Commons as a competitor; 400 apartments need- 
ed to be provided for. The mental labour to arrange these 
in suitable relations to the windows in the external eleva- 
tions, to convenience within, and to the stairs and passages, 
was immense. On going to bed, he continued to go up 
stairs and down stairs, and along passages, and into rooms 
innumerable; so that his night's fatigue became almost as 
great as his day's labour. 

I find, too, that dreams generally result from the activity 
of the strongest organs. One in whom Tune is large, will 
frequently dream of hearing music ; one in whom it is very 
small will never do so ; those in whom Number is large, 
will often dream of performing calculations ; in myself it 
is deficient, and I never dreamt of any such thing.* Some 
believe in dreams as forewarnings, because many things 
are dreamed of which seem to prefigure certain actions af- 
terward achieved or committed. The following is offered 
as a conjectural explanation of such coincidences : our 
most vivid dreams, most remarkable achievements, and 

* .Many facts might be adduced in support of the principle here laid 
down. Pitt used to rehearse his speeches during sleep. Coleridge in 
sleep composed the brilliant poem commencing 

"In Xanadu did Kubla Khan, 

A stately pleasure dome decree ; 
Where Alph, the sacred river, ran 
Through caverns measureless to man, 
Down to a sunless sea." 
I know a gentleman in whom Benevolence, Comparison and Lan- 
guage are all large, who lately dreamed of making a speech on the 
Emancipation of Slavery in the British dominions. The last sentence 
was a striking exemplification of the combined activity of the above facul- 
ties. — " The rays of British benevolence beamed upon their fetters, till, 
they melted and dropped from their limbs." 



2S8 MEMORY. 

most unfortunate aberrations, all arise, as a general rule, 
from our largest organs. A curious illustration of this 
principle occurred in a man named Scott, a poacher, who 
was executed at Jedburgh in 1823. Some years before 
the fatal event, he dreamed that he had committed a 
murder ; he was greatly impressed with the idea, and fre- 
quently spoke of it as ominous. One day he met two 
Irishmen on the road ; they were all a little excited with 
whiskey, and a quarrel ensued, which terminated in a 
fight between him and one of them. They parted, how- 
ever ; but Scott had not proceeded half a mile, when his pas- 
sion became again violently excited with the thought that he 
had not had satisfactory revenge. Accordingly, he turned 
in pursuit of the Irishman ; came up with him, seized a 
stick, struck him fiercely on the head and killed him on the 
spot. In the head of Scott, the organ of Destructiveness 
was large, and he was prone to outrage and violence. This 
activity of the organ might take place during sleep, inspire 
his mind with destructive feelings, and the dream of mur- 
der be the consequence. From the great natural strength 
of the propensity, he probably felt, when awake, an inward 
tendency to this crime ; joining this and the dream togeth- 
er, we can easily account for the strong impression left by 
the latter on his mind. 

Memory. Every intellectual faculty has its own memo- 
ry. Suppose I call to mind that I saw a man in Broadway 
yesterday at twelve o'clock : Form, Size, Colour and Indi- 
viduality are employed in recollecting his person, Locality 
in recollecting the place, and Time in recollecting the hour. 
The difference between Memory and Conception is very 
slight ; it appears to be this : In remembering things, we 
call up the impressions with a conviction of their previous 
existence, and a reference to the time, place and circum- 
stances of their occurrence ; whereas, in Conception, the 
ideas come up without reference to these particulars. Sup- 
pose I recollect a certain piece of music, but not the time, 



DOUBLE PERSONALITY. 289 

place and circumstances in which I heard it: this is Con- 
ception. If 1 recollect it, and also that I heard it at the 
National Theatre, and that Mr. Wilson sung it, this is 
Memory. The difference in the power of recollecting dif- 
ferent properties of bodies, classes of phenomena, or facts, 
is referable to the different relative size and activity of the 
various organs; when Colour is J urge and Form small, the 
first will be remembered much more readily and vividly 
than the last. 

There are some differences in regard to Memory, which 
it is difficult to explain. Sir Walter Scott, for instance, 
was remarkable for the retentiveness of his memory ; what 
he once learned, he is said never to have forgotten. An 
instance of this is mentioned by Lockhart : Hogg went 
to Sir Walter one day, in great trouble concerning a poem 
which he had lost. Sir Walter said he thought he could 

i assist him ; and though he had heard it but once, lie dicta- 
ted the poem, which its author himself had forgotten. For 
this quality we have no external sign ; it must, however, 

I depend on some condition of the brain. 

To recall impressions, it seems necessary that the brain 
should be in the state in which it was at the time the im- 
pressions were made. Dr. Abel of Cork related to me 
an instance of an Irish porter who was sent to deliver a 
parcel. He got drunk, and delivered it at the wrong place, 
and when sober could not remember where he had deliver- 
ed it ; but the next time he got drunk he remembered, and 
went to the place and got it back. 

Double Consciousnkss, as it is called — but more proper- 
ly double personality or divided consciousness — that is, an 
entire obliteration of all the previously existing ideas, and a 
commencing to learn anew as a child ; and then an entire 
obliteration of all the newly acquired knowledge, and a re- 
turn to the previously existing ideas, the alternations being 
more or less numerous, is a phenomenon which we cannot 
yet explain. Dr. Dyce reported the occurrence of these 
% 25 



290 JUDGMENT. COMMON SENSE. 

phenomena in a young woman of sixteen years of age, I 
saw a similar case myself in May, 1838, at Birmingham — 
that of a young woman also sixteen years of age, who had 
been similarly affected for the three previous years. 

I notice, in the next place, Judgment. Now on what 
does this depend? On a favourable development of all the 
faculties. When a man possesses such a combination, each 
faculty throws in its own suggestion, and there is that har- 
monious balance of activity by which all the faculties are 
brought to perform their functions in the best manner. If 
any one be very small, there will be a defect in the judg- 
ment, in regard to feelings and things to which it is related. 
If any be excessively large there will be exaggerated emo- 
tion or perception in that department. A man in whom 
all are favourably developed, acts under the control of the 
moral sentiments and intellect, but he has the well-spring 
of all the faculties to a proper degree. 

Sound judgment is feeling rightly and perceiving cor- 
rectly. The reflective faculties are the judges, but they 
depend on the other faculties for correct data. Hence a 
man may have a high development of the reflecting organs, 
and yet in a certain sense, be a man of bad judgment. 
We have an instance of this in Lord Bacon. 

Common Sense is said to be the rarest of all sense. This 
is true ; and the reason is, that for one man who has a good 
balance of the regions, the moral sentiments predomina- 
ting, ten have a large development of particular groups of 
organs. We have men of high intellectual powers, who 
are lacking in sound judgment : of high genius, who are 
practical fools. I have often heard it discussed in my own 
country, and sometimes in this, whether Washington was 
really a great man, seeing that he did not in any particular 
direction show very extraordinary power. Now I have long 
been accustomed to adduce him as an illustration of that 
harmonious development which gives sound judgment, sa- 
gacity, and practical good sense. In what I now say, I 



WASHINGTON. GOOD TASTE. 291 

appeal not to your national pride, as I have said the same 
things in my own country for years. Washington was one 
of the greatest men that ever lived. His temperament 
seems to have been sanguine bilious ; his head large and 
well balanced in every part — the moral sentiments and in- 
tellect reigning supreme. He had a constancy which no 
difficulties could overcome, an honesty of purpose and ar- 
dour of patriotism which no temptation could swerve nor 
opposition subdue. He always regarded his country be- 
fore himself; in him there was no quality of mind deficient, 
no quality in excess ; no false lights, and no deficient lights. 
He therefore gave to every thing its due weight and no more. 
He was dignified, courteous, and just ; brave, cautious, 
politic, quick to perceive, and prompt to judge ; always 
acting at the right time, and in the right manner. Those 
who say that Washington was not a great man, can merely 
mean that he displayed no one quality in excess — that he 
played off no corruscations ; but he had that sterling worth 
— that daily beauty in the life — that force of character — 
that grandeur and elevation of the whole man, which ren- 
der him far more great and estimable, in my opinion, than 
the poet, the painter, or the orator. 

Good Taste, too, results from equable development. It 
is, in fact, sound judgment in matters which do not rise to 
the importance of morals. Bad taste arises from the ex- 
cessive manifestation of one or more faculties. Thus the 
scene in Don Juan, in which Juan and his companions are 
represented as devouring his tutor, is a predominating and 
disgusting manifestation of Destructiveness, and is conse- 
quently execrable in point of taste. 



292 JOSEPH HUME, M. P. 



LECTURE XIII. 

VARIETIES OP DISPOSITIONS AND TALENTS. 

I now come to the exposition of the effects of combina- 
tion or grouping ; and in the first place I may observe that 
the moral faculties and intellect are intended to govern the 
propensities. This is evident from the fact that* man 
derives the highest enjoyment from this arrangement, and 
that when the propensities solicit indulgence of which the 
sentiments do not approve, and we yield to their solicita- 
tions, we feel that we have done wrong — that we have 
sinned. The various talents of men depend on the intel- 
lectual faculties ; their dispositions on the propensities and 
moral sentiments. I shall first treat of Varieties of Tal- 
ents; and in doing so, shall commence with the perceptive 
faculties, and proceed upward. 

The talent for observation and practical business depends 
on Individuality, Eventuality and Comparison, or the mid- 
dle line of the forehead. The head of Joseph Hume is 
very large, the sentiments being large, the propensities con- 
siderable, combined with great Firmness and Self-Esteem, 
and great intellectual development in this region. Wit, 
Ideality and Causality are all deficient. The combination 
rendered him indomitable— firm as a rock, though sur- 
rounded for years by a vast majority of opponents. Indeed, 
for a long time, he stood almost alone in Parliament in his 
schemes of financial reform ; but his intellect enabled him 
to become so completely master of the financial details of 
a great empire, and to expose abuses with such clearness 
and force, that though he was outvoted, he shamed minis- 



DUNN. STEVENSON. SMITH. — JOSEPH. 293 

ters from their ULlimfUgaiiee, and forced them to economy 
and n better financial system. Yon might, perhaps, from 
the power he lias wielded, be led to expect such a head as 
this of Franklin ; but Hume is no great logician or pro- 
found political economist. 

In Mr. Dunn's head you see large Individuality, Form, 
Size and Locality ; and this is the combination for forming 
the surveyor. Weight, also, is necessary to form the engi- 
neer ; if Calculation and Order be added, so much the bet- 
ter. In Stevenson, the constructor of railroads and loco- 
motive engines, you find the above combination without 
large reflective faculties. A gentleman, who has attended 
this class, told me that he saw a man, on one of the railroads 
of this country, with a very large development of this re- 
gion. He asked the head engineer concerning him, and 
was told that he had been a common Irish labourer ; but 
was found ' to have such an eye,' as they call it, for run- 
ning levels, that he was taken from his laborious employ- 
ment, and set over the men. 

Another combination produces the naturalist. When you 
read of Sir James Smith, the botanist, who possessed such 
an extraordinary knowledge of plants, or rather of the form 
and nomenclature of plants, you might be led to expect a 
great forehead ; but the phrenologist looks only for the ne- 
cessary organs. In him we find only large Individuality, 
Form and Language. 

Another combination, with a certain addition, constitutes 
the artist. You find in this cast the region before mention- 
ed large, giving accuracy of observation. Then you have 
large Constructiveness, large Ideality, considerable Caus- 
ality and Imitation. It is the head of Mr. Joseph, and pos- 
sesses a combination fitting that gentleman for the higher 
departments of his art. Imitation and Ideality give ex- 
pression, beauty and finish ; and Causality an insight into 
character. Without the operation of these faculties, a statue 
would be a dead-looking form. This head of Canova is 

25* 



294 CANOVA. HAYDON. — WILKIE. 

like that of Mr. Joseph in these particulars, and, looking 
at the front, it would seem not to be very superior ; yet we 
find the stamp of superior genius on all Canova's produc- 
tions. There is an air of inspiration thrown over them — a 
speaking mind beaming from every production of this great 
master, which Joseph could not reach ; and why this I At- 
tend to the length of the anterior lobe, as made known by the 
rule I before gave you, and the explanation is obvious ; the 
intellectual organs of the Italian sculptor are much larger 
than Joseph's* It is impossible to see any production of 
Canova's without observing in it a peculiar charm. On 
entering the studio of a young artist, in Scotland, my at- 
tention was immediately drawn from the works about me 
to the cast of an eagle which lay upon the floor, but which 
beamed forth so full of life, expression, and mind, that it 
spoke out from the dust even, in a way not to be misunder- 
stood. I asked the artist whose beautiful production it was 
that seemed to be treated with such neglect ? u That," 
said he, " is Canova's eagle." This explained all. You 
never see such expression except in the works of the high- 
est order of genius, accompanied by great size in the or- 
gans as well as a very active temperament. 

Then we have Haydon,the historical painter of England, 
who has been engaged in the highest walks of his art. 
There are, however, two defects in his organization ; In- 
dividuality and Comparison are both minus ; and in his 
paintings there is admirable vigour of conception, but he 
does not come up to his conceptions ; there is a haziness, 
a want of filling up, of that intelligent, speaking power of 
the mind to which I before alluded. This is the head of 
Sir David Wilkie, who has never attempted as high depart- 
ments of the art as Hay don. He has less Ideality, but 
he has large intellect, including good Individuality and 
Eventuality. He draws his subjects from a great range 
of observation, and is very successful in giving substance^ 
reality and finish to his conceptions* 



CT7RRAN. — PUT. — CHALMERS. — FRANKLIN. 295 

We have here the heads of three orators, all greatly dis- 
tinguished ia their day. Perhaps there is no subject on 
which men go so much astray as that of oratory; the re- 
quisite powers are rated Altogether too highly. This is the 
mask of Curran. You perceive in it Individuality mode- 
rate ; Eventuality and Comparison large. It is an apt, 
ready head, just fitted for observation, discrimination and 
illustration. Many are surprised, on reading his speeches, 
bow they could be so effective as they really were. Curran 
caught and expressed the people's feelings; he addressed 
them as they wished to be addressed : and the effect cannot 
now be appreciated or put upon paper. This is the head 
of Pitt. Here we have the same combination, with larger 
Individuality, great Firmness and Se!f-Esteem. He had 
vast knowledge of details, great readiness of speech, and 
plausibility of manner; but his Causality is poor, and we 
vainly look in his speeches and actions for the recognition 
of any great leading principles. Policy, narrow policy 
alone can be detected. This is the head of Dr. Chalmers, 
which as you perceive is superior to the two last. Caus- 
ality is larger, and he possesses great Ideality, Comparison, 
and perceptive organs. He deals with principles to a much 
greater extent than Pitt and Curran ; but while seeking 
principles, he is not always so fortunate as to find true 

I ones, or to be consistent in their application. 
Here we see a higher order of intellect. The observing 
faculties very large, giving great power of mastering de- 
tails. The reflecting faculties large, giving astonishing 
depth of penetration. There is also large Secretiveness 
and Wit, giving a great tendency to humour and playfulness 
of expression. This, then, is a head in which the obser- 
ving faculties give definiteness of view, and the reflective 
facilities profundity as well as acuteness of thought; and m 
all know that Dr. Franklin has produced more effect here, 
and in Europe, than any other American. I cannot go to 
any of your Atlantic cities without finding that his spirit is 



296 



CLASSIFICATION OF HEADS. 



abiding with you — that his wisdom is operating to the 
present hour. His was a mind the emanations of which 
will live for ever. Franklin, however, was deficient in one 
faculty, Eventuality : and his Ideality was but moderate. 
He never had the power of continuous writing or speaking. 
He had little brilliancy, fire or readiness ; his productions 
consisted generally of a short essay, containing some pro- 
found principle illustrated by an anecdote, or a series of pro- 
positions and sentiments clinched by Casuality. A speech 
from him of ten minutes long was considered unusual. 



COMBINATIONS OF THE PROPENSITIES AND SENTIMENTS. 

Heads may be divided in- 
vo three classes : 

1. Such as have the moral 
sentiments and intellect in 
preponderance ; as in this 
skull of Spurzheim. 

2. Such as have the pro- 
pensities, moral sentiments 
and intellect, nearly in equi- 
librium. 

3. Such as have the pro- 
pensities in preponderance. 

On looking at this head, you see large moral sentiments, 
large intellectual faculties, and full propensities. A person 
with such a combination has courage to meet danger, De- 
structiveness enabling him to witness scenes of suffering 
without being unnerved, and giving weight to his command 
by making the refractory feel that it is not safe to offend ; 
Self-Esteem and Firmness giving importance, consistency 
and perseverance. But, as the moral sentiments are \ery 
large, you will never find Combativeness degenerate into a 
contentious, quarrelsome spirit, Destructiveness into cruel- 
ty, Acquisitiveness into an infringement of others' rights, 




PARRY. — BURKE. — RAMMOHUN ROY. 297 

Self-Esteem into haughty superciliousness, or Firmness into 
wayward obstinacy. The intellectual region is large both 
in the lower and upper part, giving the power of mastering 
details and drawing conclusions. This is one of the high- 
est class of heads. Put such a one in any situation you 
please, it should be found to come out honourably and re- 
putably. This is the head of Captain Parry, who was 
placed in many trying difficulties, and always acquitted 
himself in a masterly manner. 

This is the head of Burke; it belongs to the same class, 
and now, when Curran, Sheridan and Pitt have sunk 
into oblivion, so far as the moral or political influence of 
their writings or speeches is concerned, Burke's writings 
are resorted to as a fountain of political wisdom. We find 
there profound maxims of policy, government and morals, 
which will cause his name to be remembered through all 
time. 

On looking at this, the head of Rammohun Roy, you 
find Amativeness, Love of Approbation, and Combative- 
ness large. You find a coronal region of the first class, 
except that Veneration and Hope are not so well developed 
as Benevolence and Conscientiousness ; you find, too, an in- 
tellectual region of great size, and great Firmness and Self- 
Esteem. Rammohun Roy was a Hindoo of noble family. 
His manners were polite and dignified, and toward the fair 
sex he manifested unvarying and refined courtesy. Brought 
up in the Hindoo religion, he was early dissatisfied with its 
doctrines and observances, and drew upon himself the en- 
mity of the brahmins, and the opposition of his own fami- 
ly, by the boldness with which he called in question the va- 
lidity of the idolatrous system of the Hindoos, and the 
burning of widows. Throwing off the superstitious creed 
of his fathers, he studied the Bible, and became convinced 
of the truth of the Christian religion. That he might the 
more successfully pursue his studies, he learned, almost 
without assistance, the Latin, Greek and Hebrew langua- 



298 REV. DR. ANDREW THOMSON. 

ges — pursuing his investigations from one point to anoth- 
er, till he finally settled down into the moral teachings of 
Christianity, and the unity of God. He tried to convert 
his countrymen, but found them incapable altogether of ap- 
preciating the law of evidence. Did he describe to them 
the miracles of Christ, they told him of the still greater 
miracles which their books recorded. Did he tell them of 
mysteries, their sacred books contained still profounder 
mysteries ; but the moral teachings of Christianity were 
incomparably superiour to those of the Hindoo books, and 
he determined to draw the attention of his countrymen to 
these. Accordingly he collated and classified all the say- 
ings of Christ, and published them in a book called the 
" Precepts of Jesus." I have read the work, and an admi- 
rable one it is. Now all this is in exact accordance with his 
developments. Had his Veneration been as large as his 
other moral sentiments, I am of opinion that he would not 
have been able to throw off the superstitions in which he 
had been educated. When studying the Christian religion, 
he did it with a zeal and research to be expected from his 
large brain and great intellect ; then, in exact accordance 
with his organization, he settled down into the moral pre- 
cepts, as the sum and substance of Christianity. 

This is the head of the Rev. Dr. Andrew Thomson. You 
see a very considerable coronal region, with well developed 
propensities; you see Individuality, Eventuality and Com- 
parison large, with only moderate Causality. Here we 
should have more acutenesss, readiness and power of il- 
lustration, than profundity or comprehensiveness of intel- 
lect ; and this was true of Dr. Thomson. He was general- 
ly on the side of justice and liberality ; he fought many 
battles for emancipation, and his large propensities infused 
into his advocacy great power and energy. But though 
ready and clear, he was not profound. He disliked, as he 
told me, to open a meeting ; he hardly knew what to say ; 
but if his Combativeness and Destructiveness were aroused 



RICHARD BRINBLRY SHERIDAN. 299 

by the advocacy of what he thought injustice or illiberality, 
be would, in answer, ria ut eloquence. 

This is the head of lv. B\ Sheridan. You perceive that 

the propensities are decidedly large, the coronal region 
searcclv more than moderate, with a long anterior lobe, de- 
veloped greatly in the region of Individuality, Eventuality, 

and Comparison, but moderate in the region of Causality, 
and full in the region of Wit And what was his charac- 
ter 1 He was profligate, reckless, and showed no sense 
of justice. His passions were strong, his nature vindic- 
tive. In his youth he fought one of the most brutal duels 
on record. His Self-Esteem and propensities being large, 
and having great depth in the middle region of the anteri- 
or lobe, whatever ideas he had, he promulgated with great 
vividness and force. He possessed great powers of descrip- 
tion and illustration, made exciting speeches, wrote spark- 
ling plays, and was noted for sharp savings. He soon rose 
to distinction, and was put into a situation with a uood 
salary. His character at this time stood high ; but on losing 
his situation from a change of Ministry, his reckless ex- 
travagance ran him into debt ; he followed any device to 
get money ; he swindled tradesmen — he swindled his 
friends, till scarcely a friend remained attached to him. 
George IV. has been blamed for deserting Sheridan ; but 
Moore has clearly proved that no man could be the friend 
of Sheridan without consenting to be his dupe. Sheridan 
is celebrated for witty sayings; but Moore has shown that 
many of these sayings were not his own ; he used to keep 
what might be called a day-book and ledger, in which he 
entered any good observation or retort which he heard, and 
repeated it, in a somewhat altered form, the first appropri- 
ate opportunity which offered. He was, in fact, a great 
repository of other men's wit, and added much of his own. 
In his play of 'The School for Scandal,' the dialogue 
abounds in wit ; but this did not arise from the fervour of 
composition ; his witticisms and jokes were collected from 



300 ROBERT BURNS. 

time to time, and noted on the margin, till he had an oppor- 
tunity of weaving them into the text. This play is brilliant 
and witty, but it appears to me disgustingly immoral. Di- 
rectly after the peace of Amiens, on going to the House 
of Commons, he overtook a country gentleman of his ac- 
quaintance, and asked him his opinion of the peace ? 
u Why," said he, " I say as every body else : it is a peace 
of which England may be glad, but of which nobody can 
be proud." When he arrived at the House, the peace was 
under discussion. Sheridan got up, " Mr. Speaker," said 
he, " this peace may be characterized in a single sentence : 
It is one of which England may be glad, but of which 
nobody can be proud." The effect was electric ; it ex- 
pressed so happily the general opinion, that it went through 
the country, and was lauded for its profundity and discrim- 
ination. Richard Brinsley Sheridan was a man of great 
brilliancy, little depth, and less morality; of strong passions 
and great selfishness ; and after a career of extensive no- 
toriety, he ended a shipwreck ; there being nothing in his 
writings which will bear his name with honour to future 
ages. 

Here is the head of the Scottish poet Burns. This cast 
I know to be authentic ; it being presented to me by his 
wife's executors, who took a mould of his skull at the time 
she was interred. Now, you perceive in this head large 
Amativeness, very large Philoprogenitiveness, large Adhe- 
siveness, very large Combativeness and Destructiveness, 
and large Alimentiveness. Passing to the coronal region, 
we find that to be largely developed ; large Benevolence, 
large Imitation, large Ideality, considerable Wonder, and 
Firmness and Conscientiousness full, being somewhat less 
than the preceding. His anterior lobe you perceive to have 
been long, his temperament was one giving great energy 
and endurance — the bilious nervous. No one ever drew 
the character of Burns more faithfully than he himself, in 
that pathetic effusion 



ROBERT BURNS. 301 

THE BARD'S EPITAPH. 

" Is there a whim-inspired fool, 
Owre fast for thought, owre hot for rule, 
Owre blate to seek, owre proud to snool, 

Let him draw near ; 
And owre this grassy heap sing dool, 

And drap a tear. 

Is there a bard of rustic song, 

Wha, noteless, steals the crowd among 

That weekly this area throng, 

Oh, pass not by.' 
But, with a frater feeling strong, 

Here heave a sigh. 

Is there a man, whose judgment clear, 
Can others teach the course to steer, 
Yet runs himself, life's mad career, 

Wild as the wave, 
Here pause, and, through the starting tear, 

Survey this grave. 

The poor inhabitant below 

Was quick to learn, and wise to "know, 

And keenly felt the friendly glow 

And softer flame ; 
But thoughtless follies laid him low, 

And stained his name. 

Reader ! attend : whether thy soul 
Soars fancy's flights beyond the pole, 
Or darkling grubs this earthly hole 

In low pursuit, 
Know, prudent, cautious self-control 

Is wisdom's root. 7 ' 

His head cannot better be described than by these stan- 
zas. Here we have his large propensities, " owre fast for 
thought, owre hot for rule," running " life's mad career 
wild as the wave ;" his large Love of Approbation and 
Self-Esteem, " owre blate (too modest) to seek, owre proud 
to snool ;" the large domestic faculties, which M keenly felt 

26 



302 ROBERT BURNS. 

the friendly glow and softer flame.' 1 We have his large in- 
tellectual and moral faculties, which " can others teach the 
course to steer," — u quick to learn and wise to know." 
His Benevolence is manifested in the warning contained in 
his concluding stanza: "Know, prudent, cautious self- 
control is wisdom's root." He in this line indicates, too, 
his consciousness of that deficiency of Firmness which his 
skull indicates. It is much to be regretted that his circum- 
stances were what they were. That they were no better, is 
felt by us to be a disgrace to Scotland. No situation, indeed, 
could be more unfortunately selected for him than that of 
an exciseman. He had to visit distilleries and breweries, 
to follow smugglers through the wilder parts of the coun- 
try, being thus exposed to all the temptations of boon com- 
panionship, spirits, and irregular hours. Had he been fa- 
vourably situated, there was an inherent morality in his 
mental constitution which would probably have saved him 
from rberrations, and rendered his reputation far other 
than it is. And never let it be forgotten that Robert Burns, 
with a salary of seventy pounds a year, harassed and strait- 
ened ?s he was, and wild as he is said to have been, died, 
after three months' sickness, as his widow herself told me, 
without being in debt a single farthing. There is no head 
in our whole collection more touching and interesting than 
this of Burns, who won by the beauty of his poetry and the 
independence of his character, an imperishable name. 

We have here a head in which the propensities are large, 
but still the moral sentiments are considerable, and there is 
a fair intellect. The phrenologist would say at once that 
the conduct of the individual would depend much on ex- 
ternal circumstances. If you apply stimulus to the pro- 
pensities, he would probably yield to evil influences ; if to 
the moral sentiments, you would form a virtuous and useful 
man. Like a balance hung in the centre, you may turn him 
either way with little trouble. A man possessing such an 
organization cannot, therefore, be depended on, except 



MAXWELL. HARK. IRISHMEN. NEW-fcEALANDERS. 303 

where you can answer for the external circumstances. 
The man's name was Maxwell ; in early life he was a bail- 
iff or civil officer in the town of Ayr in Scotland, and du- 
ring the time he held office his character was exemplary. 
He afterward became a soldier, and while under military 
discipline his conduct was irreproachable. After leaving the 
army, and becoming entirely free from control, he com- 
menced weaving for a living; but finding it very difficult 
to get employment and support his family, he threw up his 
business and joined a band of robbers, of which he be- 
came chief ; he was finally arrested, and hanged. His con- 
duct when in prison was becoming ; nothing seemed to 
surprise him so much as the difference between his conduct 
in the former and latter part of his life. "Oh, sir," said 
he " how little can we know of futurity ! When I was in 
the office of the magistrate of Ayr, I no more thought of 
coming to this end, than of becoming King of England." 
Then we have heads such as this of Hare, belonging to 
the third class. The moral region is extremely shallow, 
the intellect weak, and the propensities very large. In such 
a head the balance is cast entirely in favour of the propen- 
sities. 

National Skulls. 

Ireland is inhabited by various races of men. To the 
North, they are much like the lowland Scotch, a mixture 
of the German, Saxon and Gallic races ; but in the South 
the Celtic race prevails. They have great Combativeness, 
and an acute intellect ; but the moral sentiments are 
not so large ; indeed, they will need training for centuries 
before they can equal the Saxon race. I have before re- 
marked that size, other things being equal, is a measure of 
power. Nothing is more striking than this, in an examina- 
tion of national skulls. Here is the skull of a Ncw-Zea- 
lander, a fair specimen of the race. You see that it is 



304 CHINESE. BURMESE. — THUGS. — NEGROES. 

much larger than the Hindoo head. There is, you per- 
ceive large Combativeness and Destructiveness, a rather 
small coronal region, but a well-developed intellect. Now, 
while ninety millions of Hindoos are kept in subjection by 
forty thousand Englishmen, the comparative handful of 
New-Zealand ers have never allowed the Europeans to 
overcome them. 

This is the head of a Chinese; here you see a consider- 
able intellectual, and a moderate coronal region. The 
head, as you see, is larger than the Hindoo head. It is re- 
markable that this people seem to have remained stationary 
for two thousand years. 

I have noticed the great ease with which the English 
keep the Hindoos in subjection. There is one nation 
of India which has given them much more trouble ; and, 
though they have been able to overcome it, the loss has been 
ten times as great as when fighting with the former. I refer 
to the Burmese ; and it is well worthy of remark ; that in 
their heads Combativeness and Destructiveness are larger 
than in the Hindoos, and the intellect is very fairly develop- 
ed. Here is a skull from Hindostan differing much from 
that of the ordinary Hindoo. It possesses much more Com- 
bativeness and Destructiveness, with less Benevolence and 
Conscientiousness. This is a specimen of the Thugs of 
India, a race of assassins and robbers, with priests among 
them, who give them their blessing when they go on their 
expeditions. Their plan is to ingratiate themselves with a 
traveller, and accompany him till they arrive at a conve- 
nient spot, and then to murder and rob, but always to mur- 
der him. The British have lately taken up the matter. 
They hanged twenty-seven of them on one morning ; and 
have gone on exterminating them with such energy, that 
the practice is now pretty much abandoned. 

The Negro head is one of exceeding interest. Of the 
Negroes there are many varieties. The skull which I hold 
in my hand is small, the intellectual and moral faculties 



NORTH AMERICAN INDIANS. 305 

being little developed. Of this form, however, I have seen 
very few. The one which I now exhibit may be consider- 
ed as a fair sample of the generality of Negro skulls. It 
is much longer, you perceive than it is broad ; Combative- 
ness and Destructiveness are large but not predominant. 
The coronal region is well developed ; Veneration is the 
the largest organ, Benevolence the next, and Conscien- 
tiousness the next. There is a very fair intellectual re- 
gion. Here is another. This was presented to me by Dr. 
Gibson of Philadelphia. There is the same general devel- 
opment, but Veneration is only moderate ; this, however, is 
not generally the case. When I went to Washington I 
paid great attention to this subject, and can state, as the re- 
sult of careful and extensive observation, that this better 
form of head is by far the most prevalent, in such of the 
few states as I have visited. I made another observation 
of very great interest, namely : that the Negroes of the 
Free States have, for the most part, better organized heads, 
that those in the few of the Slave States which I have seen ; 
those of Philadelphia, for instance, are superior to those 
of Washington. The cause of this, observation does not 
enable me to assign. It may arise from the former having 
descended from a superior stock ; but it most probably 
arises from their freedom having brought the moral and in- 
tellectual faculties into more active employment, which has 
produced a gradual improvement of the organs. 

When we compare the heads of the Negroes wit!) those 
of the North American Indians, we find a key to their re- 
spective conditions. The Indian has more Destructive- 
ness, more Cautiousness, less Benevolence, and about the 
same Veneration. His intellect is not so good, but his Self- 
Esteem and firmness larger; and it appears to me that he 
has retained his freedom by being the proud, indomitable, 
and destructive Savage which such a combination indi- 
cates. He has disputed every inch of ground ; lie has 
fought the European ; has laid in wait for him ; has haras- 

26* 



306 MORAL RESPONSIBILITY. WILL. 

sed and slain him. Had the Negroes possessed a simiW or- 
ganization, to make useful slaves of them would have been 
impossible ; but they are of a superior, of a gentler nature ; 
both the intellectual and moral faculties are of a higher or- 
der. They are able to appreciate the superior moral and 
intellectual powers of the European race, and are content 
in some measure to live under their guidance. The Indian, 
on the contrary, has refused to profit, to any great extent 
by the arts or literature of the European, and has always 
preferred death to servitude. 

There are, however, great differences between Indian 
heads. This is a skull from Dr. Morton's collection, of a 
decidedly superior capacity ; and the tribe of which it is a 
sample were, I am told, most formidable enemies. In these, 
also, Self-Esteem, and Firmness are very large. Dr. Mor- :i 
ton of Philadelphia, has upwards of two hundred heads of i 
North American Indians, which I examined. I can there- 
fore speak decidedly on the differences which exist ; but 
still the most general form is that which I have described, i 
There is a nation of Indians called Flat Heads, from a 
custom which is prevalent among them of compressing 
their heads in infancy. I saw one of them to-day. Their 
skulls show a miserable development of the upper region i 
of the forehead, but with fair observing organs in the 
lower ridge. Secretiveness, Acquisitiveness and Love 
of Approbation are very large. It is not yet determined 
whether the brain is prevented from growing, or caused to 
grow in a different direction ; the Indian whom I conversed 
with seemed as intelligent as others of the same class whose 
heads have not been thus compressed. It would be well 
if the brain could be examined, to ascertain the structure 
of the various convolutions. 



Moral Responsibility. 

I shall now consider the question of Moral responsibility. 
Will, we regard as constituted by the intellectual faculties. 



J 



MORAL RESPONSIBILITY. 307 

It is very often confounded with the manifestation of the 
affective faculties — that desire which overcomes the others 
receiving this appellation. Firmness gives determination, 
and this is frequently called Will : it would be just as pro- 
per to say that an ass or a mule manifests Will strongly 
when it refuses to move, placing its fore feet forward and 
its hind feet backward in the attitude of perfect stubborn- 
ness; whereas it merely manifests Firmness in the highest 
degree. Will is that mental operation which appreciates 
the desires and chooses among them. Suppose I feel very 
indignant on account of an injury received, and a strong 
desire to wreak vengeance ; but I see the consequence and 
recognise the superiority of the moral sentiments. The in- 
tellect says, " Do not strike" — and the hand is powerless ; 
for by an admirable provision the nerves of motion are un- 
der the control of the intellectual organs ; these being con- 
nected, as before explained, with the anterior or motory 
tract of the spinal marrow. Will, then, is proportionate 
to the intellect. An idiot has no Will. Such a man as 
Napoleon has a tremendous Will, and is able to subject the 
Will of others to his own. 

I have called your attention to three great classes, into 
which men may be grouped according to their organiza- 
tion. These three classes are distinctly recognized in the 
New Testament. We find in the thirteenth chapter of 
Matthew, the parable of the sower who went forth to sow : 
and ■ some seed fell upon stony places where they had not 
much earth,' — moral sentiment and intellectual faculties 
very small, — ' and because they had no root they withered 
away,' — such heads as this of Mac Innis, the murderer — 
'Some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and 
choked them, 1 — considerable moral development, but large 
propensities, j^ in the skull of Maxwell. We Hire not told 
.hat there was deficient soil, as in the former ease, hot that 
:hough the seed was productive, the thorns sprang up 
ind destroyed the produce. 4 But others fell upon good 



308 MORAL RESPONSIBILITY. 

ground, and brought forth fruit, some a hundred fold, some 
sixty fold, some thirty fold.' Here we have the moral region 
predominating over the propensities, the good ground obvi- 
ously referring to good moral and intellectual faculties. 
And mark, we are not told that the quantity of produce was 
the same in all cases, but that some brought forth a hun- 
dredfold, some sixty fold, some thirty fold. 

The same differences are recognized in the scriptures 
with regard to talents, in the twenty-fifth chapter of Mat- 
thew ; " For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling 
into a far country, who called his own servants and deliv- J 
ered unto them his goods ; and unto one he gave five tal- l 
ents, to another two, and to another one — to every man ac- ' ! 
cording to his several ability. After a long time the lord 
of those servants cometh and reckoneth with them. And 
so he that had received five talents came and brought other I 
five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five \ 
talents ; behold, I have gained besides them five talents 
more. His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and 
faithful servant ; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I 
I will make thee ruler over many things ; enter thou into ' 
the joy of thy lord. He also that had received two talents, 
came, and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents ; 
behold, I have gained two other talents besides them ;" — 
mark that he receives precisely the same answer as he 
who had gained five talents: "His lord said unto him, 
Well done, good and faithful servant ; thou hast been 
faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over ma- ' 
ny things ; enter thou into the joy of thy lord." When he 
who had received but one talent said that he had hid it in 
the earth instead of using it to the best of his ability, " his ' 
lord answered and said unto him thou wicked and slothful 
servant." We find it here clearly inculcated that men are 
answerable only for the talents which are committed to 
their charge. Occasionally we meet with a human being 
who has not even one talent. 






MORAL RESPONSIBILITY. 

This leads me to remark, that the award is not according 
to the amount of the result, but according to the propor- 
tion between the result and ability. In short, where much 
is given, much is required, and where little is given, little is 
required. It follows, of course, that persons of the first 
class of organization are subject to the highest responsibili- 
ty, those of the second class to less, and those of the third 

ss to the least of all : inasmuch as in the first the moral 
faculties predominate ; in the second the propensities are 
so large as to impel them continually to that course which 
they know to be wrong ; in the third the propensities bo 
decidedly predominate, that, if allowed to go loose in socie- 
ty, they will as certainly go wrong as that the sun will rise. 

Under these circumstances, what are we to make of the 
responsibility of man to man ? — for I speak not of the re- 
sponsibility of man to God : that is a subject which I think 
better left to the theologians. So far as we are concerned, 
we should all do better by being careful to make our own 
conduct accord with the divine precepts, than by busying 
ourselves about the judgment God will pass upon our neigh- 
bours. 

In men of the first class of heads, responsibility is com- 
plete ; they are without the shadow of an excuse for doing 
wrong; and, on looking through society, we find that men 
of this class of minds, hold the substantial power and wealth 
of a country : they constitute the judges, the rulers, the 
leading men. Now it appears to me, that these individuals 
have not, generally speaking, any adequate notion of their 
great responsibility. Their duty it is to lead the others into 
the right path, to set them a worthy example, to provide 
them with appropriate facilities of education, to place be- 
fore them every inducement to virtue, and remove from 
them, as far as possible, every allurement to vice. By these 
means would the character of the second class be elevated, 
their propensities repressed, and the higher sentiments 
brought into combined and energetic habits of activity. 



310 MORAL RESPONSIBILITY. 

We now come to the third class, in which the intellect 
and moral sentiments are so small, and the propensities so 
large, that their tendency is almost irresistibly toward evil. 
They constitute not one thousandth, perhaps not a two- 
thousandth part of the community ; but, from the fearful 
predominance of their animal feelings, they are capable of 
immense mischief. I say, unhesitatingly, that these should 
be physically restrained. They should be considered as 
morally insane, treated as moral patients, and not allowed 
to run at large in a state of society in which intoxicating 
liquors are easily procured, in which property is exposed 
to their depredations, and life to their furious passions. It 
is nonsense to say that they have their constitutional rights 
and should be allowed to go free ; they have no more right 
to go free than mad dogs. When a cow is addicted to 
violence a board is put upon its horns to give warning of 
danger. Phrenology recognizes men before they have com- 
mitted their depredations and their murders, as certainly as 
the cow is recognized by the board. When phrenology 
shall obtain due consideration, such men will not be sent for 
three months or six months to the prison, and then let loose 
to rush anew into crime, and commit fresh depredations 
and outrages upon society; but be kept under restraint un- 
til their characters shall be changed by training, or if not 
changed, they will be kept under restraint for life — with as 
many virtuous gratifications as their condition will permit. 
Benevolence would acknowledge such a procedure to be 
kind ; Veneration, to be respectful ; and Conscientious- 
ness, to be just both to themselves and to society. The 
idea of inflicting so much punishment for such an amount 
of crime has now been given up in theory by all enlighten- 
ed men, but practically it is still adhered to. Our duty is 
to withdraw external temptation, and to supply by physical 
restraint, when necessary, the deficiency of internal moral 
control. When it comes to the reckoning, and the ques- 
tion is put to the first class of men. " What have you done 



MORAL RESPONSIBILITY. 311 

to put away temptation from your weaker brethren, to ele- 
vate their character, to prevent them from evil," it will 
surely not be a satisfactory reply to say, " We made laws 
prohibiting them from crime, and punishing them for its 
commission ; we imprisoned them when they committed 
smaller offences, and hanged them for enormities." No : 
such men are morally blind, and it is not for you to wreak 
vengeance upon them for their misfortune, but to keep them 
out of harm's way — not to immure them in prisons for 
punishment, but to place them in asylums for safety and 
recovery. 



312 GENERAL VIEW OP THE BODY 



LECTURE XIV. 
Physical Education. 

The subject of physical education is exceedingly extern 
sive, and I have not time to enter into it with minuteness 
of detail. My intention this evening is, to bring before my 
non-medical hearers such an account of the human frame, 
as will enable them to appreciate the influence of physical 
condition on the mind. 

You see here the human skeleton ; this represents the 
bones, which form the support to the soft parts, and afford 
protection to many important organs. Attached to the 
bones are the muscles, which are fleshy bundles or cords, 
by the contractions of which the erect attitude is preserved 
and motion produced. This drawing represents the brain 
and spinal marrow, from which nerves proceed and ramify, 
the brain being contained in the skull, and the spinal mar- 
row in the back bone. Nerves proceed from the circum- 
ference of the body to these parts, conveying sensation ; 
from them to all parts of the body, producing motion. The 
skin covers the body, and serves to allow an extensive ex- 
pansion of the nerves of sensation, which renders us sen- 
sible to heat, cold, pain, and other feelings from external 
causes. There are, also, innumerable little holes in it 
through which the waste matter of the body escapes by per- 
spiration. 

All parts of the body are in a continual state of decay, 
which occasions, of course, the necessity of renovation, for 
if particles of the body are continually passing away, oth- 



HEALTH. — DISEASE. 313 

ers must be continually supplied. Now this new matter is 
supplied by the blood, a fluid which circulates through 
every part, and from which are deposited, in a way of 
which we have no conception, particles of just the kind 
necessary to the respective parts requiring them ; to muscle 
it supplies muscle, to bone it supplies bone, to nerve it 
supplies nerve, and to brain it supplies brain. Health is 
tiie sound condition, complete and equal play, of all the 
various systems of the body. It is attended by a feeling 
of satisfaction which seems diffused throughout every part. 
A friend of mine truly and beautifully said, " I never think 
myself in health except I can go out, of a summer's morn- 
ing, and standing upright, with my eyes fixed on space, 
and my mind unoccupied, feel that life itself is a blessing, 
and thank God that J am a living man." Disease is the 
nnsound state or discordant play of any of these systems, 
and may be either structural or functional. If an arrow 
should be shot into the eye, the consequent disease would 
be structural. Functional disease is that in which derange- 
ment of structure is not visible, but in which the function 
is performed too feebly or with morbid energy. Suppose 
we look at the sun for a while: the function of the eye is 
disordered ; if we turn the eye from it to some other object, 
we may still appear to see the sun where there is in fact 
nothing but a wall. This is functional disease ; and, gen- 
erally speaking, repose alone is sufficient to restore healthy 
action, when over-exertion has ceased. 

Health being the foundation of all happiness, its preser- 
vation is of the utmost importance ; and to preserve it, we 
must know those laws on the observance of which it 
depends. So far as the lower animals are concerned, these 
are observed instinctively. Muscular exercise is secured 
by the enjoyment which is evidently attached to it ; thus 
you see the horse, in a rich pasture, galloping and gam- 
bolling. In many animals it is secured by its necessity in 
obtaining food. Pure air they have from living in the open 

27 



314 COMPARATIVE MORTALITY OP CHILDREN AND ANIMALS. 

air. Cleanliness, they all attend to, and thus keep their 
pores open ; you see the cat assiduously cleaning herself — 
the birds cleansing their feathers by the stream ; even the 
pig forms no exception ; I have been told by many farmers, 
that when allowed straw, it always kept its sty clean and 
comfortable. Animals observe these laws without knowing 
why ; they are impelled to do so by the Creator, operating 
through their constitution. To man is given reason — the 
power of observation and adaptation. He must study his 
own constitution and that of the external world, and ob- 
serve the relationship which God has established between 
them, in order that he may know the laws of health, and 
conform to them. That there is great occasion for such 
knowledge and such observance, is evident from the records 
of mortality. According to the Westminster returns, from 
one-fourth to one-fifth of all that are born there, die before 
arriving at two years of age. I am told that the mortality 
is still greater here. Now, of such mortality, there is no 
example in the animal kingdom ; and for this no other 
reason can be adduced, than that by man the laws of health 
are neglected or outraged, while by the brutes they are 
instinctively observed. How great an amount of human 
misery arises from this premature mortality ! — Hardly one 
of these children dies without lacerating a mother's affec- 
tions and blasting a father's hopes. 

The food which we eat has to undergo a variety of pro- 
cesses before it can be assimilated to the body, or be made 
to form a part of its substance. In the first place it is taken 
into the mouth, where it is ground by the teeth, or masti- 
cated ; during this process it is mixed with the saliva, after 
which it is swallowed, passing from the mouth through a 
tube into the stomach. This last organ lies in the upper 
part of the abdomen, as you see in this drawing, it is shaped 
like a bagpipe, and has two orifices ; by one it receives 
the meat coming through the food pipe to the stomach, 
and by the other, called the pylorus, the food passes 



PROCESS OP NUTRITION. 315 

into the intestine, called the duodenum. The stomach is 
amply supplied with blood-vessels and nerves, the latter 
being more numerous here than in any other part of the 
body, and derived from many different sources; for which 
reason it sympathizes with almost every other part, and 
may be considered as a kind of common organic centre. 
The food undergoes in the stomach such a process as 
changes it to a greyish fluid called chyme, which, when 
properly digested, presents itself at the lower extremity of 
the stomach, and passes through the pylorus into the duo- 
denum. But mark this, around the pyloric orifice there is 
a band of muscular fibres, which, when contracted, keep 
it closed, and which have to relax in order that the chyme 
may pass through. Now if the food which presents itself 
is not properly digested, these circular fibres will not relax, 
but the food is sent back to be digested still more ; it may 
again and again be presented, and again and again sent 
back ; but as this, if carried too far, might cause serious 
injury, the fibres at length give way, and the undigested 
food is allowed to pass. When the chyme has arrived at 
the duodenum, it is mixed with two fluids : one from the 
liver called bile, the other from the pancreas called pancre- 
atic juice; and is turned by their action into a milk-white 
fluid called chyle. The intestines, like the stomach, have 
three coats ; but the inner or mucous coat is in folds, to 
give a greater extent of surface. On this an innumerable 
quantity of small vessels open their mouths, and draw in 
that part of the food which is fitted to nourish the body ; 
these are called lacteals. They terminate in one common 
tube, called the thoracic duct, which passes up the poste- 
rior part of the chest, and empties its contents into a vessel 
called the subclavian vein. The fresh nourishing matter 
thus carried with the blood to the heart, is sent to the lungs 
to be subjected to the vivifying influence of the air. 

Fluids taken into the stomach do not go through the 
game process, but are absorbed and taken immediately into 



316 IMPORTANCE OF PROPER FOOD AND AIR. 

the blood, whence they soon reappear in the kidneys, and 
are thrown out of the body. 

I lately visited the Coloured Asylum in this city, which 
is, in many respects, a creditable institution, and there be- 
came acquainted with a fact which well illustrates the im- 
portance of diet in the training of children. Acting under 
the influence of some teacher who has been lecturing in 
this city, the managers of the institution had confined the 
children to an exclusively vegetable diet, with the expecta- 
tion of improving their morals. Now children should have 
diet — not excessive, but sufficient, solid and nutritious. If 
you jive an exclusively vegetable diet, you do, indeed, ren- 
der the blood less nutritive and stimulant, and thus weaken 
the propensities ; but, as the same blood nourishes also the 
moral sentiments and intellectual faculties, they are weak- 
ened in proportion, and the tone of the whole body low- 
ered ; so that nothing is gained in point of morality, and 
much is lost in health and vigour. This was soon discov- 
ered. In the Asylum the effect of this exclusively vegeta- 
ble diet manifested itself by means of scrofula and general 
debility. It was laid aside, and under the influence of a 
more generous diet, the children soon began to recover. 
An adequate supply of good and sufficient food is abso- 
lutely necessary to health. 

Another essential condition to health is, that the lungs 
be always supplied with fresh air. These are two bodies, 
one on each side of the thorax, composed of a light spongy 
substance, and filled with innumerable air cells, which are 
said to present an extent of surface equal to twenty thou- 
sand square inches. The heart throws the blood into the 
lungs, and, when we breathe, the air passes into them ; so 
that the blood is on one side of the thin membrane of which 
the cells are composed, and the air on the other. Through 
this membrane the changes which occur in the blood take 
place. The common air consists of three distinct gases in 
combination, in one hundred parts of which seventy-seven 



OXYGENATION OF THE BLOOD. 317 

are nitrogen, twenty-two oxygen, and one carbonic acid 
gas. Now, the breath expired is found to differ from the 
air taken into the lungs, and the blood sent from the lungs 
is found to differ materially from the blood which was sent 
to them. Of the air, the oxygen is diminished, and the 
carbonic acid increased ; oxygen is therefore considered as 
the supporter of life. The blood which arrives at the 
lungs is of a dark purple hue, and is unfit to support life ; 
that which passes from them is of a bright scarlet hue, and 
is fitted for the body's nourishment. The use of nitrogen 
is not known ; but Sir Humphrey Davy found that on 
breathing eighteen inches of common air, five of nitrogen 
disappeared. Dr. — , of Boston, suggests that it combines 
with chyle, and imparts to it its red appearance. When we 
analyze the body, we find in it a considerable quantity of 
azote ; and in this way does he suppose it to get into the 
system. This theory needs confirmation, but is very plausi- 
ble.* If the air be not pure, the venous dark blood does not 

* The lungs are composed of a very thin membrane, which, for the 
purpose of presenting a large surface in a small space, is folded in the 
form of cells; these do not communicate one with another, but with the 
minute twig of the windpipe which leads into each. 

The exceedingly minute blood-vessels of the lungs are contained with 
in the membranous walls of the air cells, through which the following 
changes are produced : 

1. In the air. The air contains more carbonic acid and water, and 
less oxygen, after respiration than before, the amount of carbon gained 
being somewhat less than that of oxygen lost. Sir Humphrey Davy 
states that the quantity of nitrogen is diminished ; Dulongand Berthollet, 
that it is increased. Dr. Edwards has reconciled these discrepancies 
by showing that nitrogen is both absorbed and exhaled, and that some- 
times absorption preponderates, sometimes exhalation. 

2. In the hlood. The blood is changed from a dark red to a bright 
scarlet hue. Its temperature is increased, according to Dr. J. Davy, 
one, or one and a half degrees. The amount of carbonic acid is dimm- 
ed, of oxygen augmented. 

Some may find it difficult to conceive how such extensive changes 
can be produced through the walls of the cells and vessels ; I therefore 
remark that the animal tissues are full of invisible pores, to the fluids 

27* 



318 THE CIRCULATION. 

undergo the necessary change, but is sent back, of a dark 
hue, to all parts — and, of course, to the brain, which, 
therefore, is not sufficiently nourished and stimulated ; great 
dulness and drowsiness ensue, followed, if continued, by 
diseased action. To afford sufficient quantity of fresh air 
in churches, schools, and lecture rooms, is, therefore, very 
desirable. If they are not well ventilated, the brain is op- 
pressed, and cannot, of course, act with clearness and ener- 
gy. Dr. Reid, who was employed to ventilate the houses 
of Parliament, considered it necessary to supply ten cubic 
feet of air a minute for each person they were adapted to 
accommodate. This air is sent in of proper temperature. 
The effect of bad air we see this evening. This hall is 
crowded to excess, and there are no adequate means of ven- 
tilation ; hence the faintness which a number have been 
subject to ; two or three ladies have had to be led out.* 
We have done much to reform matters in our own country, 
though we have had an arduous task. There is still much 
to be done, however; and you have much to do in this 
country, in your public halls and schools. 

contained in which, the softness of animal matter is attributable. 
Through these pores, gases readily permeate, as the following facts 
prove. 

1. If two gases be placed in contact with the opposite surfaces of a 
moist bladder, each gas will pass through the bladder till both are equal- 
ly mixed. 

2. If a bladder containing liquid, be placed in a gas, the gas will 
pass through the bladder and become absorbed by the liquid, whereas, 
none of the liquid will escape. 

Hence it is obvious that gaseous matters may become dissolved in the 
blood which circulates through the lungs, by permeating the invisible 
pores of the air cells and minute vessels, notwithstanding that no open- 
ings exist large enough to give exit to the blood itself. 

* This was spoken in Clinton Hall. During Mr. Combe's stay, the 
Directors of the Institution, with a promptitude which did them great 
credit, opened two apertures for ventilation and produced a great im- 
provement on the air of the room. Mr. C. made still stronger objec- 
tions to the Lecture Room at Stuyvesant Institute. 



EFFECTS OF NERVOUS CONCENTRATION. 319 

What we call the heart, may, in fact, be considered as 
two hearts ; a right and a left ; by the right heart the blood 
is sent to the lungs, by the left to the arteries. But each 
of these consists of two muscular bags ; and the circulation 
of the blood may be thus explained : The heart has two 
vital properties, irritability, and contractility ; by the first 
of which the stimulus of the blood is perceived, and by the 
second of which the muscular fibres of the heart shorten 
themselves, or in other words, contract and close the cavi- 
ty. The venous or dark blood is poured into the first sac of 
the right heart, called the auricle; this, when filled, closes 
like a sensitive plant, and forces the blood into the right sac, 
called the ventricle ; the ventricle then contracts, and forces 
the blood through tubes into the lungs. Here the blood is 
vivified, and rushes to the auricle, or first cavity of the left 
heart, which contracts and forces it into the second cavity, 
or the left ventricle : this contracts, and forces it into the 
great canal for the conveyance of arterial blood, whence it 
is distributed to all parts of the body, supplying nourish- 
ment. It returns through other tubes called veins, is re- 
ceived into the right auricle, and passes through the same 
route as before. The body contains, it is supposed, from 
twenty-five to twenty-eight pounds of blood, and that two 
ounces pass through the heart at every beat ; according to 
which, all the blood must pass through the heart every three 
minutes. 

The brain is that organ which supplies nervous energy 
or spirits, as we say, to all parts of the body ; thus, if the 
nerve which communicates with the stomach be divided, di- 
gestion is at once arrested. Now, if by any means we con- 
tinuously concentrate the whole nervous energy to any 
particular part, the other parts necessarily suffer. Thus, if, 
by the occurrence of some great calamity, thought and feel- 
ing be kept in lonur-continued and inordinate activity, the 
digestive and respiratory functions are ill performed, the 
blood is deteriorated, and the body wastes and sinks with 



320 EFFECTS OF NERVOUS CONCENTRATION* 

rapidity. So if the muscular systerp be inordinately exer- 
cised, the nervous energy seems to be exhausted upon it ; 
and, if after such exercise, we attempt to read or think, the 
brain is indisposed to activity, and we fall asleep. With- 
out exercise, waste matter is not thrown off from the body 
in a proper manner, and the blood does not circulate with 
due force ; but if carried to excess, it interferes with our 
power of thinking and feeling with vigour and continuity. 

If the brain be employed too energetically, then is there 
a sense of discomfort and anxiety ; we are, perhaps, trou- 
bled with headache and indigestion, the stomach loses its 
tone, the mind itself becomes affected, and the whole sys- 
tem diseased. I have often met with Americans seeking 
health in Europe ; and have generally found that, led on by 
the spirit of competition, their brains have been kept con- 
tinually burning with excitement, till their bodies have be- 
come diseased, their nervous system has lost its energy, and 
Death seemed to be tapping them on the shoulder ; they 
have then been forced to give up business entirely, and try 
the effects of a voyage and continental travels. Here the 
nervous system, though gently excited by new objects, is 
allowed comparative repose ; the exercise is gentle but 
not too great ; being much in the open air, the blood 
is well oxygenated ; and not being pressed for time, diges- 
tion is allowed to go on in a proper manner. In short, 
health is broken by violating the laws on which it depends, 
and restored by their observance. 

I speak the more earnestly, because I speak from sad ex- 
perience. When young, I hardly knew that I had a brain 
or a stomach — much less the laws which govern their modes 
of activity ; and for three or four years used to study from 
six in the morning till ten at night. But I dearly paid for 
my imprudence — I greatly impaired my digestive func- 
tions, weakened my nervous system, suffered great misery, 
and became almost incapable of thought. I am now giv- 
ing you information which, if I had possessed at fifteen 



EFFECTS OF COMPRESSION. 321 

years of age, and attended to, would have saved much suf- 
fering and feebleness during seven years of the best part of 
my life, for which nothing could ever compensate. 

Allow me now to address some remarks to the ladies es- 
pecially; and in doing so, we will make the skeleton the 
first object of contemplation. The bones are formed by 
depositing bony matter in cartilaginous substance. In in- 
fancy comparatively soft, they go on hardening to old age. 
By disregarding their flexible nature in early life, much 
deformity is occasioned. Ladies wish to see their children 
walk early, they pur them to the feet before the bones are 
sufficiently strong ; in this way the legs are often distorted. 
Or they put leading strings around them to keep them up, 
and thus the ribs are pressed upon and deformed ; pressure 
is produced too, upon the stomach, liver, lungs, and other 
viscera, occasioning sad consequences. Nature is in all 
these things the sure guide. When the child feels the ne- 
cessity for muscular exercise, it attempts to crawl about on 
all fours, and delights to tumble about the floor ; this is the 
best form of exercise in the particular circumstances ; it 
strengthens the little muscles of the child, which begins in 
a while to raise itself by the chairs, and finally to walk. 
All this is natural and safe ; which the system of urging 
and dangling is not.* 

I have before stated that in the human skin there are in- 
numerable pores, from which waste matter is continually 
passing. Cleanliness is, therefore, another essential requi- 

*The author of the "Histoire Natnrelle et Morale des lies Antilles," 
published at Rotterdam, 1658, remarks that Charib mothers allow their 
infants to tumble about on beds of cotton or dried leaves, without either 
bandage or swaddling clothes ; and that " nevertheless, they do not be- 
come deformed, hut grow marvellously well, and most of them become so robust 
that they can walk when six months old." And all of them are straight and 
well made ! This he seems to have considered a truly marvellous re- 
sult, and it never once occurred to his simple and civilized understand- 
ing, that the savages were in this respect reaping the reward of fulfilling 
the intentions of nature.— Ed. Phren. Journ. 



322 EFFECTS OF COLD AND COMPRESSION. 

site in the treatment of children ; but, as young children 
are susceptible to atmospheric changes, you must be care- 
ful not to expose them too much. I am told that in this 
country it is not usual to protect the heads of children, and 
that some physicians recommend this neglect ; I cannot 
but consider this injurious. The temperature in this cli- 
mate ranges in a very short space of time over an extent 
of forty degrees : — other parts of the body are protected, 
and why is the head exposed to such vicissitudes? The 
brain is a very important organ. In infancy the skull is 
very thin, and there is very little hair. Some protection, 
therefore, seems necessary, though to stimulate the brain 
by too much clothing is injurious. Captain Parry relates 
that on one very cold day, he sent two young gentlemen in 
search of a marine, who had been exposed to a tempera- 
ture much below zero, without any adequate protection ; 
and that so great was the effect, even upon them, that when 
he sent for them into his cabin on their return, they looked 
wild, spoke thickly and indistinctly, and it was impossible to 
draw from them a rational answer to any of his questions. 
After being on board for a short time the mental faculties 
appeared gradually to return with the returning circulation, 
and it was not till then, that a looker on could be easily 
persuaded, that they had not been drinking too freely. 

One great evil to which the fair sex is liable is deformity 
of the spine. The spine or back bone is supported by ma- 
ny muscles which keep it erect, as a mast is kept erect by 
the ropes. If these muscles be compressed they become 
weakened ; if made to support the body for a long time in 
an erect, stiff position, they become exhausted; if this is 
persisted in, the spine gives way ; but as there is a natural 
tendency to equilibrium, the curve of one part is compen- 
sated by a curve in another, and thus, in such deformity, 
there is generally a double lateral curve, somewhat like the 
italic letter /. 

When I was young, the remedy for this was to use a 



ON THE CURE OF DEFORMITY. .323 

steel support. What would you think of me if I recom- 
mended, in order to strengthen the arm, that you should 
bind it in splints, and keep it perfectly still for three months. 
You would see the absurdity at once, and yet, the using 
of a steel support to the spine for the purpose of strength 
ening it, was just as ahsurd. The only rational mode of 
strengthening the muscles is by exercise. Wheh I was 
lecturing upon this subject some years ago in Edinburgh, a 
lady was present, who, on going home, noticed that her 
daughter, a young lady of nine years of age, had slight de- 
formity of the spine. She became alarmed, and was led 
to think of the best course to be pursued under the circum- 
stances ; seeing her daughter next morning attempt to lift 
some earth with the gardener's spade, she thought that that 
would be just the thing to encourage her in. Accordingly 
she asked her if she would like to have a little spade of her 
own. Oh yes, was the reply ; she would like it very 
much. She was then asked if she would like a little 
wheelbarrow to wheel earth from one part of the garden to 
another ; she was perfectly delighted with the idea. They 
were procured, she was directed how to use them, and cau- 
tioned never to continue their use after she felt fatigue 
coming on. The young lady shoveled and wheeled in the 
open air day after day ; the whole muscular system was 
exercised, but particularly the muscles of the back. In 
three or four months the curvature was completely remov- 
ed, and she resumed that form of elegance for which she 
is still distinguished. She is now grown up, and has told 
me that she looks back to the time she spent in digging and 
wheelinir, as among the happiest of her life. 

The next point to which I would draw the attention of 
the ladies is, the importance of free action in the lungs. 
This subject is nearly threadbare, but still it is necessary 
to return to it. Whenever you see the breast flat, and lit- 
tle space in the chest, it shows that the lungs are small, and 
that the blood cannot be properly aerated. This difficulty, 



324 ON TIGHT LACING* 

it is obvious, would be increased by compressing the chest 
or by inhaling bad air ; yet, notwithstanding that a small 
chest is incompatible with vigorous health, we find ladies 
doing all they can to compress their chests into the least 
possible dimensions, having some how or other acquired the 
extraordinary notion that a narrow, spider waist is beauti 
ful. It fs probable that the notion originated from the cir- 
cumstance of some person of high rank being deformed 
by nature rendering deformity fashionable. In the old 
country this fashion is fast going out, especially among the 
higher clases. A lady who should now enter a drawing- 
room in London, Edinburgh or Dublin with her waist com 
pressed in the way which a short time ago was prevalent, 
would be set down as unfashionable and vulgar, the spec- 
tators would whisper u there goes an uneducated woman." 
I am sorry to see, as I do in walking Broadway, that 
among your ladies the spider-waist is in great esteem, and 
tight-lacing prevalent. I would respectfully observe that by 
this distortion they assume that they have more knowledge, 
judgment and taste than the Creator himself. These very 
ladies pity the savages, who seek to improve the form of 
the skull by compressing it. They see that this process 
renders the " human form divine" truly hideous. They 
laugh at the Chinese women, who attempt to amend God's 
handiwork, by compressing their feet till they render them 
unfit to support them. But by a blindness of perception, 
which would be incredible, if we did not witness it, they 
perform the very same operation on their own waists, and 
sap the sources of health and life— surely God did not 
make their waist so imperfectly, as to need their assistance 
to improve it. By this practice, the heart, lungs, stomach, 
liver and other viscera are compressed to a most injurious 
extent, being cooped up so as hardly to be able to perform 
their functions ; the circulation too, is interfered with, and 
a large extent of exhaling surface. Yet, with all these 
pains, they only render themselves pitiable spectacles to all 



ON THE STUDY OF THE FINE ARTS. 325 

who possess correct taste. Not such forms do the painters 
and sculptors take as the models of beauty.* 

That form is best in which the brain, chest, abdomen 
and limbs are all in due proportion. When any of these 
preponderate greatly in size, beauty suffers : thus, if the 
abdomen is much larger than the rest of the body, we have 
a figure like a hog standing on its hind legs. The Creator 
has implanted in our minds a love of the beautiful for a 
wise purpose ; for it is found that beauty of form and per- 
fection of healthy structure and action are most intimately 
connected. A female figure of the finest proportion for 
symmetry and beauty is, cater is paribus, the most favour- 
ably constructed for healthy action. If the carriage of the 
body be erect, and the motions easy and graceful, these are 
indications that the bones are solid and the muscles ener- 
getic — that the blood is well nourished and well oxygen- 
ated, and that it circulates freely. If the countenance 
beams with intelligence and goodness, this is an indication 
that the moral and intellectual regions of the brain pre- 
dominate ; and the individual in birth and constitution is 
one of nature's nobility. 

I deem the study of the fine arts important. He who 
considers the beautiful human form as addressed to 
Amativeness alone, or chiefly, takes a most degrading view 
of it. It is addressed to Ideality, which contemplates it 

* I knew a young female of some distinction, as respects both her 
mind and family, in the city of New-York, who, some years ago, be. 
came known from tight-corseting, by the name of the u lady with the 
small waist!'' Notwithstanding her good sense in other things, this ex. 
cited her ambition to render herself still more worthy of the title, and to 
prevent, if possible, in others all competition for it. She therefore in- 
creased the tightness of her corsets, until she became hump-shouldered, 
and died of consumption. Nor did any one doubt that her corsets were 
the cause. She was married, and left an infant son, who, from the alen- 
derness of his frame and the delicacy of his constitution, is threatened 
with his mother's complaint. He inherits her corset-broken constitution. 
Caldwell on Physical Education, p. 110. 

28 



326 ON INORDINATE MENTAL ACTIVITY. 

with keen delight; to Veneration, as the chief of the Cre- 
ator's physical works ; and to Intellect it gives the highest 
pleasure. Viewed in this light, I see not only no immod- 
esty, but the greatest propriety in ladies visiting galleries 
of the fine arts. No better school can be selected for the 
mother, who, being thus made familiar with the most per- 
fect and beautiful creations of the painter and sculptor, 
would carry in her mind standards which would enable her 
readily to detect deformity in her children, and lead her to 
seek timely remedial means ; and I am disposed to think, 
that if ladies were instructed in their youth in the uses of 
the human frame, and taught to appreciate the conditions 
and proportions of the different organs that are most fa- 
vourable to health and beauty, they would, when they were 
mothers, become far sooner aware of disorders in their chil- 
dren, than they now are, and would save the lives of many 
of them. Dr. John Bell, of Philadelphia, has published 
an excellent little book on this subject, called " Health and 
Beauty ;" which I beg leave respectfully to recommend. 
Who, for instance, after gazing at this painting of Eve at 
the fountain, could admire the spider-waists'? From being 
presented in its proper light, the study of the fine arts has 
in the old country become much more general. Ladies study 
the natural figures, and pass round the galleries where they 
are exhibited, without the slightest feeling of impropriety on 
their own part, or that of any cultivated or correct mind. 

I will now address my observations more particularly to 
the gentlemen. Some have received a favourably organi- 
zed constitution, the greatest gift that Providence can be- 
stow upon man. The head is of proper size, the lungs are 
well developed, the digestive organs in good order. Per- 
sons so blessed are very apt to laugh at the caution of oth- 
ers, and to keep in a continual blaze of excitement ; they 
eat hearty dinners, rejoice in convivial suppers and in 
punch and in wine. Warn them of their danger, they 
mock at your fears. But nature is keeping with them a 



DIFFERENCE OF TEMPER AM ENT. 3*27 

reckoning. With some she keeps a daily account, exact- 
ing punishment for every offence as soon as it is commit- 
ted ; with some she keeps an account current, and she 
does so with the persons of whom I speak. It may be years 
before she exacts payment, but when she does so, she ex- 
acts the utmost farthing. Not one of their aberrations but 
is then found to have been a nail driven into the coffin. 
I cannot tell you how many people I have seen start 
in manhood with fine, robust constitutions, and, after the 
vigorous enjoyment of health for years, fall into prema- 
ture graves, from attacks of apoplexy, paralysis, or some 
severe form of disease ; while those whose weakly consti- 
tutions imposed the necessity of incessant watchfulness, 
: outlived them. 

There is a class of men in whom the brain predomi- 
nates, and the lungs and digestive organs are comparative- 
| ly weak, such persons delight in mental activity ; muscular 
j exercise is disliked, the brain is continually on the stretch 
of excitement. But when we reflect that in thinking we 
use the brain, just as in walking we use the muscles, and 
that, in order to keep the brain in activity, nervous energy 
must be drawn from the general system, all parts of which, 
under such circumstances, perform their functions feebly, 
the impropriety of this course is evident. The muscles will 
be weak and unenergetic, and the stomach will badly per- 
form its duty. 

Two concentrated actions cannot go on in the system at 
i the same time : if you digest well you must think badly ; 
if you think well you must digest badly. The best plan is 
i to spend an hour or an hour and a half after each meal in 
S trifling conversation. If you talk nonsense, so much the 
better, as that needs no attention ; and instead of that hour 
being counted as lost, it will, I assure you, be the best spent 
i ; of the twenty-four. People say they cannot spend the hour 
? in such a way : business or professional duty or study, re- 
ft, quires their attention. But I answer, that if they go from the 



328 DIFFERENCE OF TEMPERAMENT. 

table to mental avocations, attention will be feeble ; every 
thing will be performed unenergetically — whereas if they 
allow the hour for digestion, the brain, when they go to 
work, will be fresh and vigorous, and they will do more than 
if they had been at work all the time.* 

In bilious and nervous temperaments the skin is gene- 
rally inactive. I have told you how great a quantity of 
matter should pass off by this organ ; its inactivity is there- 
fore very detrimental. To promote the secretion of per- 
spiration, as well as the other secretions, nothing is more 
important than exercise, which should be taken in due 
quantity by every one. To keep the skin clean is of prime 
importance, and this may be done by sponging or washing 
the body daily. Perhaps the best wash for this purpose is 
composed of one-third vinegar, and two-thirds water, or a 
mixture of common salt and water. After sponging the skin 
it should be well rubbed with a coarse towel or hair glove. 

There are some men in whom the digestive system predo- 
minates : these are what are called easy fellows, jolly com- 
panions. They live a very happy sort of life, so long as 
things go on well. They eat and drink heartily, enjoy 
pleasant, thoughtless conversation, and sleep soundly and 
long. But business is often neglected by them, and their 
easy, careless habits become a great source of trouble to 
all who may be dependent upon them for support. To 
correct this constitutional tendency, let the quantity of food 
be diminished ; let what is taken, however, be solid and 
nutritious, and let plenty of exercise be taken in the open 
air: this course will give good stimulating blood, and con- 
sequently increase mental vivacity. 

* Among children, barbarians, and all whose brains are not much 
over-tasked, affections of the stomach are hardly known. Our native 
Indians will eat an enormous quantity of food even after a long fast, with 
seeming impunity. The Esquimaux often eat ten or twelve pounds of 
animal food and drink a gallon of train-oil in a day, without being troub- 
led with dyspepsia in the slightest degree. 



K 



\, 



IMPORTANCE OF VENTILATION. 329 

The importance of pure air is a subject which, until late 
years, hardly entered into the heart of man to conceive. In 
the Scotch churches, for instance, it is the practice to sain 
at eleven remain till near one, and go again at two. Now, 
the practice formerly was to close the door as soon as the 
people came out, in order to keep in the heat. They thus 
retained the air, vitiated by being breathed in the morning. 
The people went home, loaded their stomachs, and returned 
to church. Here, then, the laws of health were clearly viola- 
ted — first, in breathing bad air, and next, by engaging in 
serious mental occupation with loaded stomachs. The 
consequence was, that nature was too strong for the min- 
ister, and many of the congregation slept. This annoyed 
him very much, nnd many is the sermon which I have heard 
preached against the sin of sleeping in church. The con- 
sciences of the congregation troubled them a good deal, no 
; doubt, but there was no reformation. Now the laws of 
health are better understood, the moment the congregation 
pass out of the church, the windows are thrown open, even 
in the depth of winter, so as to allow a change of air. In- 
stead of eating a hearty dinner, people generally content 
themselves with a light lunch, deferring dinner till after the 
second service. By thus conforming with the laws of health, 
the drowsiness of the Scottish congregations, has passed 
away, and with it the occasion for sermons on the sin of 
sleepiness. 

The laws of health, as regards ventilation, were still more 
outraged in our schools. In the winter season we were 
kept in for hours with the windows closed tightly ; and so 
ntiated did the air become, that to a stranger entering from 
:he street it seemed almost poisonous. In proportion to the 
length of time we remained in, the air became vitiated more 
\nd more, and the blood worse and worse aerated, losing 
hus its healthy stimulating properties. This rendered us 
lull and inattentive ; but in proportion as mental energy 
lecreased the birching increased, the master attempting to 

28* 



330 IMPORTANCE OF VENTILATION. 



compensate for the stimulus of good blood by the stimulus 
of pain. The school was thus rendered a place of torture 
and terror. We have reformed matters in our own country 
considerably ; but here, on visiting the public schools, I 
find you have much yet to do. You have no adequate 
provision for a supply of fresh warm air. Recollect the 
air must be warmed before let into the room. If you at- 
tempt to ventilate by throwing open the windows, you have 
the children near crying out that they are catching cold, 
and indeed much injury must ensue. Should there be now 
listening to me any member of the civic corporation, I 
would recommend this subject to his especial attention. — ; 
He could not be more worthily employed than in effecting a 
reform. I know it is difficult to effect changes involving ex- 
pense. The common cry of demagogues is economy, econo- 
my. They are for retrenching every thing, and allowing 
money for nothing ; hoping thus to gain favour with the 
people. Economy is a very good thing ; no one can be a 
greater advocate of it than myself; but the economy which 1 
I recommend would extend to the health of the rising gen- 
eration, and a small outlay for the attainment of this great, 
end, would never be regretted by a wise and philanthropic 
community. 

We have effected great changes in Edinburgh in our 
public assembly-rooms as well as in our schools and church-' 
es. All, I believe, are now properly ventilated, except the 
Waterloo rooms, and they are yet as close as a bottle. — 
Seeing the great importance of good air to all, young and 
old, healthy and diseased, what would you think were I to 
tell you that a lunatic asylum has been built at an immense 
expense, and no provision made for a supply of fresh air — 
the importance of ventilation beingentirely overlooked ; yet 
such is the case with the new lunatic asylum of this city. 
On going through it I pointed out this great 'oversight. A 
gentleman distinguished for his enlightened interest in pub- 
lic improvements, suggested that, as the plaster was two 



i 






Jeffrey's respirator. 331 

inches from the wall, a sort of flue might be formed behind 
it. But for this fortunate suggestion the means of ventila- 
tion would have been entirely absent. In mentioning these 
things, I am not blaming any one, but merely drawing at- 
tention to such facts as come under my observation. 

I must ask any member of the civic corporation, who 
may be here present, whether he has seen the pauper school 
on Long Island 1 If he has not, I advise him to go and 
examine the size of the rooms — inquire how many children 
sleep in each, and what means of ventilation exist. Having 
done this, let him reflect and decide for himself whether the 
state of things in these respects is not the cause of opthal- 
mia and other diseases.* 

*Mr. Combe here recommended to the attention of his audience an in 
strument invented by Mr. Jeffrey, of London, called the respirator, in- 
tended to obviate the irritating effects of cold air upon the lungs in asth- 
matic and consumptive patients. 

The respirator is worn over the mouth, and is constructed on strictly 
scientific principles. It consists of the instrument proper and its ap- 
pendages. Tho instrument is formed of a number of wire plates or 
sieves ma^e somewhat after the manner of those of Davy's safety lamp, 
and fixed in a flexed frame. The breath, in passing through these plates, 
yields its caloric to the wires. The caloric is taken up by the cold air 
srhich is drawn through the instrument during inspiration, and thus 
raised from the freezing point to from 60 to 80 degrees, according to the 
niality of the respirator used. The air, too, in its passage in- 
A'ard, parts with the grosser irritating particles which it may contain. 
The appendages consist of a cushion around the frame-work, in which at 
he lower part is a sponge to absorb whatever moisture may be condensed 
)n and run down the plates, a silk border which may be drawn more 
>r less tightly round the mouth, attached to which are cords which 
)ass round the back of the neck and over the head to keep the instru- 
nent firmly in place. 

The respirator is recommended by Sir B. Brodie, Sir Anthony Car- 
isle, Sir James Clark, SirAstley Cooper, Dr. Elliotson, Dr. Conquest, 
Dr. Paris and other eminent medical gentlemen. 

Mr. Combe said that a friend of his who had for some time coughed 
o much durimr the night as to be hardly able to sleep, was enabled to 
oso without disturbance on the first night of wearing the instrument, 
nd until he recovered. 



332 MR. DOWIE S SHOES. 

Mr. Combe exhibited a shoe, also, of peculiar construction, remark- 
ing, "I exhibit it for two reasons : first, because it is of a form conducive 
to health and comfort ; and, secondly, because it evinces the advantages 
of scientific information in its application to the arts. This shoe, you 
observe, is very strong in the sole, and yet perfectly flexible — the space 
between the heel and fore part, or that constituting the hollow, being 
formed of India rubber. The inventor is a Mr. Dowie, who, while at- 
tending a course of Physiological Lectures in Edinburgh, observed that 
the spring of the footwas in the instep. He reflected upon the advan- 
tage it would be to have thatpart perfectly free, and the consequence was 
this invention. He took out a patent for it, and shoes of this construction 
are now being tried by a company of soldiers, under the inspection of 
proper persons, for the purpose of ascertaining correctly their advan- 
tages over those ordinarily used. I doubt not that the report will be fa- 
vourable." 



, 



TRAINING. 33*3 



LECTURE XV. 

Training. 

he proper training of the mind means the proper train- 
ing of the organs. Without the brain, the mind cannot act ; 
without a healthy brain, it cannot act energetically. The 
first element, then, in education, is to have the brain in a 
state of vigorous activity ; and, in my last lecture, I pointed 
out the intimate dependence of this condition on good and 
sufficient food, good air, the proper excretion of waste 
matter from the body, cleanliness of the skin, and on the 
quantity of clothing being adequate to the season, but not 
too great. I showed that when the food consists of mere 
slops or vegetable diet, when the air is vitiated, and the 
slothing inadequate or excessive, the tone of the whole 
system is lowered.* 

1 revert to ventilation for the purpose of remarking, that, 
n this country, one-fourth of all who die, die of consump- 
:ion ; and, when I see the neglect of ventilation which is 
lere so common, I do not wonder at it. I have not the 
east doubt, that by proper attention to ventilation and to 
he skin, this number might be greatly reduced. I state 
his from the experience of the best-informed physicians. 

The great importance of understanding whether the brain 
>e a single organ or a congeries of organs, cannot be too 

* By education, in the abstract, I mean a scheme of action or train- 
og, by which any form of living matter may be improved, and by per- 
everance reared to the highest perfection of which it is susceptible.— 
'aid. Phys. Ed. p. 6. 



334 LABOUR TO BE PROPORTIONED TO STRENGTH. 

clearly set forth. If the mind be a single organ, then men- 
tal exercise, of whatever kind, should be beneficial to its 
whole powers. If it be a congeries, we have to attend to 
the particular exercise of each. Suppose a trumpet to be 
improvable by practising on it, every note would be improved 
by improving the tone of one ; but if the instrument were 
a piano forte, in which each note depends on a separate 
chord, it would be absurd to hope for the improvement of 
all the chords by improving a few merely. Some might 
produce the correct notes when struck, while others might 
produce nothing but discords ; and others, being broken, 
might emit no sound at all. 

From the fact of the brain being the organ of mind, 
flows many important results ; one of which is, that being 
weak and immature in childhood, like the legs and arms, 
it cannot bear much exercise ; that it strengthens with age, 
and that the exercise or labour should be proportioned to 
the strength. You cannot impose excessive labour on the 
brain, any more than on the rest of the body, without doing 
injury. Hence the great folly of that constant mental 
application which it has been, and still is, to a great degree, 
the endeavour of parents and teachers to keep up. In Scot- 
land, at the public schools, we used to be in attendance 
seven hours a day — from nine to one, and from two to five ; 
and the result was this : for an hour in the morning we were 
able to attend assiduously to our lessons, but then the brain 
became exhausted, and the scholars restless ; they were 
poking each other with their fingers, pinching each other, 
flirting peas, and scratching the desks. Some became 
noisy, some listless ; then came the birch, for the purpose 
of infusing new stimulus into an exhausted brain ; the 
scholars were rendered miserable, and induced to look on 
the school with disgust, the teacher was harassed and dis- 
couraged. Now, when the effect of these things is better 
understood, many of the schools of Edinburgh have re- 
duced the time of tuition to four hours a day— two hours * 



ill 
M 

ja 

m 



aii, 



h 
i 



INFLUENCE OF TEMPERAMENT. 335 

at a time ; and it is acknowledged that more Greek and 
Latin is learned in that time, than previously in seven 
hours ; the scholars attend the school with pleasure, and 
the teacher passes his time with satisfaction. Nay, one 
teacher lias reduced the time of attending to Greek and 
Latin to two hours a day, and still challenges comparison 
with the rest of the schools. 

Mr. Fisher, a gentleman who takes scholars of from five 
to eight, has found the greatest advantage in the changes 
which he has produced. Instead of keeping them con- 
stantly at work, by rewards and force, for three or four 
hours in succession, he takes this plan : For the first hour 
he can obtain their attention without any difficulty ; at the 
end of that time, he sends them out to run around St. An- 
drew's Square for a quarter of an hour. While they are 
playing, he keeps the windows open, and thus ventilates 
the room. In this way the children learn more, and enjoy 
such pleasure, that their parents complain that they would 
rather be at school than at home ; the teacher's task, too, 
has become an agreeable instead of a painful one. I have 
been to the public schools of this city, and would advise 
you to go and judge for yourselves how far the laws of 
physiology are observed. The children go in at nine, and 
come out at three, having all the time but half an hour's 
intermission. Mature as our brains are, we take care to 
impose less on them than on the weak brains of the young. 
If I should lecture to you six hours together, you would 
say, " God preserve us !" 

It is of importance, when children are at school, that 
■ their position should be easy. In my own country, chil- 
dren have to support themselves on forms without backs. 
We have produced a reform, however, in a number of 
schools ; and I am pleased to see that in your country no 
complaint is necessary. 

In educating children, it is of the utmost importance to 
take into consideration the influence of temperament. If 



336 INFLUENCE OP TEMPERAMENT. 

the nervous temperament predominates, the child is de- 
lighted to learn; he would be continually at his books; 
he is intelligent, and shows such an intensity of feeling 
that he twines himself round the affections of his parents, 
who are in raptures at his astonishing progress, and urge 
him on his career, ignorant of the almost inevitable result. 
The nervous energy being drawn to the brain, the digestive 
system suffers most materially ; and, while, by this prema- 
ture development, he stands conspicuously above children 
of his own age, the blaze of excitement in which he is kept 
by continued thinking and feeling soon undermines his 
health, and, if not arrested, throws him into a premature 
grave. In such cases add not to, but keep down the ex- 
citement. See that such children take much exercise in 
the open air, urge them to lay down rather than take up a 
book. To do otherwise is to break the law of Nature, or 
of Nature's God ; and long life is promised, not to those 
who break, but to those who obey his law ; and the pro- 
mise is fulfilled. That life is long and happy, which is 
spent in obeying the laws which are made manifest by 
observing and reasoning upon the nature of man and ex- 
ternal things. 

When the lungs predominate in a child, and the sanguine 
temperament, there is fondness for exercise ; the food is 
heartily eaten, the sleep is sound. Suppose a child of this 
temperament to be sent to school after a sound sleep and 
comfortable breakfast : for a short time he may be still, but 
in a while the craving for muscular exercise will be too 
strong ; he may be pent up, but cannot be kept quiet. He 
begins to be fidgety ; may receive blows for it, but still he 
fidgets ; the blows may be repeated, but without effect ; he 
continues fidgeting, poking with his elbows, throwing peas, 
striking his neighbours with his feet, and striving in every 
way to expend this energy. Such children are generally 
said to be very clever, but to have no liking for their books. 
The usual plan has been to scold such children well ; and, 



TRAINING AND INSTRUCTING. 337 

if not quieted by this, as is very unlikely, tlic scolding if 
followed up by a flogging, which is generally as ineffica- 
cious. The object should be to remove the cause of the 
evil. Let us attend to Nature, give such children an op- 
portunity of first expending their muscular energy, and then 
they will be delighted with mental activity. Mr. Howe, of 
Boston, related to me an anecdote which finely illustrates 
this position. He had a boy who was the most mischievous 
that he ever met with ; he broke the benches and boxes, 
wrenched the doors off their hinges, played all sorts of 
pranks, and could not be controlled. Mr. Howe thought 
of dismissing him ; but knowing there must be a cause for 
this disposition, he reflected upon the subject, and hit upon 
an admirable remedy. This was to send him into the cel- 
lar every morning, to saw and split wood for three hours 
together. The boy was delighted and had soon sawn and 
split all the wood up ; he was then set to running, leaping, 
climbing poles, and disporting himself in a variety of ways. 
Thus he got rid of his excessive muscular energy, and af- 
terward proceeded with his studies in a proper manner. 
The doors and benches being perfectly safe. 

Some children are of the lymphatic temperament ; these 
are slow to learn, and indisposed to activity. The reme- 
dial plan has been to flog them continually. A much bet- 
ter is to study their constitution, and regulate our treatment 
accordingly ; to give such children a moderate quantity of 
nutricious diet — animal rather than vegetable — let them 
have plenty of muscular exercise in the open air. By these 
means you diminish the lymphatic and increase the san- 
guine and nervous elements of the constitution. I call your 
attention particularly to the fact, that, in all countries, the 
method used to correct defects of organization and tem- 
perament has been to flog and shame the child that needed 
improvement ; — one of the most gross instances of the ap- 
plication of brute force for the accomplishment of that in 
which attention to the laws of the constitution can alone be 

29 



336 TRAINING AND INSTRUCTING. 

successful. It follows, from what I have said, that no rule 
can be laid down applicable to all cases. Specific differ- 
ences must be closely attended to in the business of educa- 
tion. 

We now come to the difference between training and in- 
structing. This is vast. Instruction means communicating 
knowledge ; while training implies the repetition of certain 
modes of action in the mind and body, until they become 
habits. It is a law of our constitution, that any organ, 
when accustomed to repeat frequently its action, acquires 
additional strength and facility in so doing ; from this ari- 
ses the force and advantage of habit. Suppose a lady be 
told that, to produce certain notes, she must strike such and 
such keys: you might continue the instruction for years 
without enabling her to play a tune, if she did not practice 
— if her fingers were not trained. So you may instruct a 
child in the precepts of the New Testament ; but if he be 
not trained to religion and morality, if he be not accustom- 
ed to practice these precepts, instruction will be of little 
use. We must not be content with telling ; we must act, 
and induce him to act. Do we wish to make a child kind 
and benevolent, we must be so ourselves. Do we wish to 
cultivate its veneration, we must manifest our own by ad- 
dressing it with kindness, respect and courtesy. In receiv- 
ing, the mind is passive ; in training, it is active ; and there 
is a vast difference between these two states. We may take 
a very common illustration of the effect of training. Sup- 
pose a child to live in a community where Combativeness, 
Destructiveness and Self-Esteem are particularly active : 
it will be the object of their manifestations. Resentment 
will be excited, and in it the same faculties be roused. 
Hence will result coarse, cold, harsh and vulgar manners. 
On the contrary, if a child be educated in a family where 
every human being is treated with respect — where Benev- 
olence, Veneration, Conscientiousness and Love of Appro- 
bation are all active, wherever he goes, he will at once be 



OBJECTS OF TRAIN flN 

recognized as a well-bred gentleman and practical Chris- 
tian. 

Another object may be to diminish the activity of some 
of the propensities ; as Pride, Acquisitiveness, and Quar- 
relsomeness. Now, a very common method is to tell the 
child to do so and so ; and, if it refuse or neglect, to dis- 
charge upon it a storm of words or blows. The child is 
overcome by superior brute force, but injured in the pro- 
cess. Phrenology teaches the true plan to be, to allay the 
excitement of the propensities, and to excite the moral sen- 
timents by mildness, but firmness. Force addresses itself to 
fear alone ; Benevolence, Conscientiousness,Veneration,are 
not at all exercised. Follow the child into its room, and 
there see the effect of such discipline. Has it compunc- 
tious visitings ? — is it grieving over its faults. No, it is 
burning with rage and the desire of revenge ; it longs to be 
a man, that it may escape from what it considers tyranny. 
People often forget, in the business of education, the gigantic 
power of man's moral nature, before which the propensities 
cower and quail. 

In training the intellectual and moral faculties, the object, 
generally, is to raise them to the highest natural standard. 
This differs much in different individuals, and seems to 
have natural limits, beyond which it cannot pass. That 
organs grow by exercise, cannot be doubted. Deville s^vs 
he has known them to grow after forty years of age. 1 do 
not say this is not so, but I have not seen them do so ; I 
have seen them grow at twenty-eight years of age. But 
when size is not increased by exercise, the tone is improved 
and the activity exalted. In a former lecture I drew your 
attention to cases in which, the skull being removed, the 
brain was seen to be greatly excited by mental action. 
This cerebral excitement is owing, proximately, to the flow 
of blood to the brain ; for the brain is subject to all the 
laws of the system in general. During exertion, blood 
rushes to it, as to muscles under like circumstances; and 



340 ACTION UNDER EXCITEMENT. 

by judicious and well sustained exercise, a cerebral organ 
becomes enlarged in like manner as a muscle. If you 
want, therefore, to train Philoprogenitiveness, what is the 
only rational course ? Not to tell the girl to love children ; 
that would fall inefficaciously on the mind. No ; present 
a child to her attention ; let her be induced to nurse it, to 
watch over it, to play with it ; this causes a rush off blood 
to the organ, which stimulates it, improves its tone and fa- 
vours its growth. You might as well expect to increase the 
power, activity or size of a muscle by instructing a youth 
that exercise is a duty, without taking care that he put his 
muscles into activity, as to expect the improvement of a 
cerebral organ under like circumstances. 

The foregoing remarks are not theoretical, but practical, 
and founded on observation. I may mention that I ob- 
served to-day a case strongly confirmatory of the truth of 
the foregoing observations. The daughter of a scien- 
tific gentleman* of this city fell from the room window 
when she was about four years of age ; her head struck 
upon the iron bar which extended from the railing to the wall, 
and the skull was extensively fractured, without rupturing 
the pia mater or doing any serious injury to the brain. 
She was attended by Dr. Mott ; the skull was removed from 
the superior posterior portion of the head, the integuments 
were drawn over, and the child recovered. Immediately 
after the wound was closed, her father was struck with the 
variety of motions in the brain, and its great activity du- 
ring excitement, producing as he said, a sensation in the 
hand as if it were feeling at a struggling leech through a 
silk handkerchief. The child has a well formed head, with 
large Self Esteem, Love of Approbation, and Firmness. 
I have before stated that bashful ness is principally an af- 
fection of Self Esteem ; and, when I put my hand on the 
integuments soon after she entered the room, I felt this or- 

• James J. Mapes, Esq. 



COMBINATION IN ACTIVITY. 341 

gan distinctly in great commotion, with Love of Approbation 
affected in a less degree. I spoke to her in a friendly manner; 
and as she acquired confidence, the commotion of Self-Es- 
teem subsided, and that of Love of Approbation increased. 
The father stated that when intellect was engaged, the ex- 
citement in the region of the sentiments ceased. He gave 
her an arithmetical problem to solve which puzzled her a 
little, and all the commotion of Self Esteem and Love of 
Approbation disappeared, except the regular arterial throb. 

One great object of education should be, to train certain 
organs which conduce to a common end, in such way as 
to establish among them a communion of activity. Thus, 
to give the talent for music ; Tune, Time,Weight, Ideality, 
and Imitation should be trained to work together. They 
may be all large, yet, without training, the efforts to make 
music will be imperfect. Suppose one of you, who had 
never attempted to speak in public, should rise to address 
this audience, from the place where I now stand : he would 
make a confused and incoherent speech, even if Language, 
Individuality, Eventuality, Comparison and Causality were 
large, because they would not act simultaneously. But let 
him practice — let him train those organs to combined ac- 
tivity, and he will become an eloquent speaker. So, in 
playing upon the piano-forte or harp, the muscles at first 
will not act well ; but, by practice, their activity becomes 
almost wonderful. Training makes the great distinction 
between men on being introduced into a drawing-room. 
The most intellectual and amiable may feel very much 
embarrassed and distressed on seeing so many well dressed 
people ; but, if he repeat his visits, and habituate himself to 
it, he may become the pride and ornament of a society, of 
which, at first, he seemed a hopeless member. 

We have not the power of preventing our feelings, but 
we have the power of controlling them. They start into 
involuntary activity; it is for the moral sentiments to sup- 
ply the curb. In most, the strength of their impulses needs 

29* 



342 INSTRUCTION. INTELLECT. INSTINCT. 

to be lessened ; and recollect, that every day in which the 
moral sentiments are trained, the activity of the propensities 
is diminished ; just as, by using the right arm exclusively, 
we should diminish the power of the left. In some cases, 
however, though not often, a particular propensity needs 
cultivation ; as Combativeness, for instance. This must 
be done by putting the child in a little danger, and training 
it to meet the danger well. I notice that the Rev. Mr. 
Warne has just issued a very judicious work on the subject 
of moral training, called u Phrenology in the family." 

The next thing we want is instruction ; and let us in- 
quire what constitutes instruction ; the necessity of it is ob- 
vious. We must recollect that the propensities and senti- 
ments are all blind. Philoprogenitiveness gives love of 
children, but it does not tell us what is the best way of ma- 
naging them. Veneration gives us a tendency to revere, 
but it does not inform us what are the true objects of re- 
spect or worship ; but man is sent into this world with a 
combination of faculties, admirably fitting him to attain 
this knowledge. An uninstructed man is one in whom all 
the organs work at random. Instruction consists in be- 
coming acquainted, first, with ourselves, and then with the 
world without, with which we are in relationship; and 
with the mode of so adapting our conduct to external cir- 
cumstances, as to produce the greatest amount of enjoy- 
ment to ourselves and benefit to others. 

Let me here draw the line of distinction between the in- 
tellect of man, and what is called instinct in animals. In- 
stinct enables its possessor not only to do certain things, 
but impels it to do them in a certain way. Birds, for in- 
stance, have an organ of Constructiveness, which gives them 
a desire to build nests ; but it also gives them the tendency 
to build their nests in a certain manner, and in that only. — 
So the bee is instinctively impelled not only to build its 
hive, but to construct the cells in a certain way, that way 
being one by which the greatest amount of accommodation 



THE TWO MODES OP INSTRUCTION 340 

is secured in a given space. Man, on the contrary, lias 
faculties enabling him to construct the most enduring and 
magnificent structures, but he has no particular plan im- 
pressed jn his mind, according to which he must construct ; 
he needs knowledge — instruction. 

There are two modes of obtaining knowledge : the one 
is to present the object directly to the faculties, and then 
add the name ; the second is to give the name, and add a 
description. Now a word is nothing of itself; before it is 
of the slightest importance, it must be joined to an 
idea. The difference of the two modes of instruction 
may be thus illustrated : I have a bust behind me ; sup- 
pose I describe it to you, and give you the name : how faint 
would be your conception of its size, form and colour ! I 
now present it to you, and give you the name ; the object 
being directly presented to the faculties, you will obtain a bet- 
ter idea of it in three minutes, than from a description of 
three hours' length. When you send your children to 
school and set them to learn by rote, you give them words 
merely, not ideas ; you increase their knowledge of signs, 

I not of things. The true plan is, to present the object to 
the children ; let them examine its form, size, colour and 
other particulars, and afterward tell the name, and spell it. 
All nature is adapted in the most beautiful manner to the 
faculties, and the study of nature imparts great pleasure. 
Thus the curiosity of children to know things is insatiable ; 
you are aware that they will break their playthings to learn 
what is within. 

When properly taught, the elements of all the sciences 
are simple. Talk to a child about geometry, triangles, and 
hexagons, and you will puzzle it completely ; but present a 
figure, let it notice that it has three sides and three corners, 
then tell it that all such figures are triangles, and it readily 
understands the matter ; so of the other geometrical figures. 
Children always take pleasure in learning by actual pre- 
sentation ; they can be instructed in almost any thing which 



344 INFANT SCHOOLS. 

can be presented to them directly, and subjected to their 
senses. To prove this, I dissected, before two girls and a 
boy, the heart and lungs of a sheep. Their delight was 
great, the impression made on their minds vivid and last- 
ing. The teacher under whom I suffered — for that is the 
term commonly used in Scotland — was fond of mechanics, 
and he constructed a bridge after the plan laid down by 
Caesar in his Commentaries, which was always brought out 
when a class came to that part. I recollect with what 
anxiety we looked forward to the time when we should be 
allowed to study Caesar's bridge. At length it came ; and 
then, instead of the disinclination to go to school, the tar- 
diness, the truant-playing and listlessness of other times, 
all was eagerness and attention ; there was no occasion for 
scolding or flogging ; we went on reading and examining 
with the greatest assiduity ; and thus the most difficult part 
of the Commentaries became to us the most easy. When 
the description was over, with what regret did we see the 
bridge deposited in the closet whence it had been taken ! 

The above, and other observations which I have made 
are well illustrated and confirmed by the results of Mr. 
Wilderspin's system of Infant Education. In the first place, 
the school-rooms are large and well ventilated, so that the 
children constantly breathe pure air ; then, surrounding 
the school, is a dry, airy play-ground, and the play and 
lessons are so judiciously alternated, that neither lose their 
attractions by over-duration. And in the school, the truth that 
the organs of the brain, like the muscles of the body, will be- 
come wearied by longexertion, is practically attended to; one 
object of study is never dwelt upon so long as to cause 
fatigue. 

In their intellectual exercises, the presentation of visible 
and tangible objects holds the most conspicuous place. By 
degrees they are familiarized with a great variety of sub- 
stances — with their qualities and relations, their natural and 
artificial combinations. All the faculties which take cog- 



INFANT SCHOOLS. 345 

nizance of external things are thus directly stimulated and 
pleasurably exerted. They obtain, by this means, a vast 
amount of useful knowledge, as it were in play. The 
teacher will take a mathematical figure — a triangle, for in- 
stance — and ask them if they would like to talk about it? 
Yes, they are all anxious. He gets them to describe it. 
They see that it has three sides and three corners, and tell 
him so. After they have examined it for a sufficient time, 
he asks if they would like to know the name ? Yes, they 
would like to know the name. He then tells them the 
name, and they repeat it. Would you like to tell mother 
how to spell the word ? — he will then inquire, perhaps. 
Yes, they would like that very much. He then sets up the 
word with wooden letters, and they spell it over. In this 
way they learn to read, as it were, incidentally. Instruc- 
tion is never prolonged more than a quarter of an hour. 
The classes in turn pass into the play-ground, which is the 
theatre for moral training. There the older children are 
trained to be kind and affectionate to the younger; every 
deviation from benevolence and conscientiousness — every 
outbreak of passion or manifestation of selfishness, is made 
a matter of inquiry ; nothing, in fact, is considered too in- 
significant for such investigation. This is conducted open- 
ly, the children being the jury ; they rarely fail to take a 
just view of the matter, and give a just award. 

It is perfectly delightful to see the effect of this training. 
Temptations are not removed, but presented ; and though 
many of the children are taken from the very lowest ranks 
of society, and some have not sufficient food, yet the dinners 
of their more fortunate school-mates — the currants, goose- 
berries, pears and apples in the play-ground, are all safe as 
if under lock and key. In our country, there are parents 
so poor that they have to send their children to school with- 
out dinners. This is made a means of cultivating the be- 
nevolence of the more favoured, who make up a dinner out 
of theirs for the little unfortunates. 



346 INFANT SCHOOLS. 

I understand that in this country a number of these 
schools have been given up; on asking the reason, I was 
told that the parents were dissatisfied because the children 
did not learn to read as quickly and fluently as they desir- 
ed. I saw a specimen, in Philadelphia, of an infant-school, 
the chief object of which seemed to be instruction in read- 
ing ; and, certainly, some of them read beautifully. But 
I asked them what is meant by going to the right hand, 
what by going to the left, and told them to lift up their right 
hands. About one half held up the right hand, and the 
other half the left. I asked them which way was east, which 
west ; they could not tell. A higher class was called up, 
and read about Jefferson taking the oath of the Constitu- 
tion. I asked what was meant by an oath, and what by 
the Constitution ; they could not tell. The teacher said it 
was impossible that they should know those things ; but 
when they were grown up, she hoped they would find 
them out. I hope so too. The teacher was a very intelli- 
gent lady and wished to explain the lessons ; but the pa- 
rents thought that the time was lost which was dedicated 
to explanations, and they complained to the Directors of 
the School. She was then ordered to make " fluent rea- 
ders" of the children as quickly as possible, which she cer- 
tainly accomplished. 

Scotland has had great credit given her as a land of edu- 
cation ; but I am afraid we draw on the credit of what was 
our due two hundred years ago, when compared with other 
nations of that time. The discovery has now been made — 
not by phrenologists, but by a minister of the church of 
Scotland — that my country people are not half educated. 
I should say not one-twentieth — perhaps not one-fiftieth 
part educated. I mean by this that many do not receive 
even the rudiments of education, reading, writing and arith- 
metic, and that comparatively few receive more. Contrasting 
these slender attainments with the amount of instruction in 
the elements of natural science, physical and moral, and in 



GREEK AND LATIN*. .{47 

religion, which is requisite to form a good education, and 
with the training which is necessary to teach children to 
practice it ; I say that the people of Scotland are not one- 
fiftieth part educated. If you commence a reform in your 
educational plans, and carry them forward with energy, 
you will, in twenty years, confess the same of your own 
country at this time. 

You are generally before us in the education of the peo- 
ple, but you are not so conspicuous for the quality as you 
are for the quantity of educational means. If you will in- 
quire into the subjects taught in your schools, you will find, 
I am afraid, that the number of useful ideas imparted is not 
as great as it should be. I do not undervalue a knowledge 
of words ; but to impart a knowledge of useful ideas should 
be the great object. You pay your money, why do you 
not take care to have your money's worth 1 

The Greeks and Romans were the earliest nations of 
Europe who attained civilization ; in other words, they were 
the first who so far cultivated their mental faculties as to 
attain tolerably numerous and precise ideas of government, 
laws, morals, intellectual philosophy and the fine arts. In 
consequence of their minds containing these ideas, their 
language contained terms to express them. The ignorant 
barbarians of the north of Europe overturned the Roman 
empire, and became its rulers. These men had not reach- 
ed the ideas attained by the Greeks and Romans, and their 
language of course had no terms by which to express them. 
A long night of barbarism prevailed over Europe forages ; 
and when civilization dawned again upon Italy, where it 
last set, manuscripts were taken from the lumber-rooms, 
disinterred from the monastic cells, and studied with avidi- 
tv. They contained new ideas, as well as new words ; 
were found to embrace more sublime and elegant poetry — 
more brilliant, pointed and ingenious wit — more just and 
profound views on law, criticism, and philosophy, than had 
been known since the subversion of the Roman empire ; 



348 IMPORTANCE OF FHISIOLOGY. 

and these treasures were embodied in languages so rich 
discriminative and refined, that Europe, in addition to this 
accession of knowledge, was at once furnished with excel- 
lent vehicles of thought without the labour of invention. 
Greek and Latin became, in these circumstances, object 
of intense study among all men who aspired to superior 
intelligence ; and, in establishing colleges for the study of 
those languages, our ancestors acted wisely, as they thus 
enjoyed the richest intellectual stores existing in the world. 
But the zeal for knowledge was in the course of time re- 
warded by new and stupendous discoveries. The moderns 
far outstripped the ancients in science, morality and reli- 
gion. This state of things has altered the relative impor- 
tance of Greek and Latin. There is now no idea which 
is not clearly expressed in our own language, and we have 
in Europe a thousand ideas in every thing relating to na- 
tural science, for one possessed by the Greeks.* 

The ancients — as the moderns, until recently — confined 
knowledge to an oligarchy ; it was never imagined that the 
vulgar mind, as they called it, could understand the arts 
and sciences. Phrenology dispels all these errors, by show- 
ing that all men have faculties for the understanding and 
appreciating of knowledge. 

I would urge with earnestness the importance of Phy- 
siology as a branch of knowledge to be studied by all. — 
Lectures on this interesting subject are worthy of your ear- 
nest attention. In 1796 Dr. Beddoes delivered a course of 
lectures on Physiology, and in 1797 another course was de- 

*" u If a man is a natural born foal, Mr. Speaker," said David Crock- 
ett in the House of Representatives, "and knows twenty different lan- 
guages, what then ? Why he has twenty different modes of talking fool- 
ishly." This bold and sagacious man, seems to have greatly undervalued 
the advantage which he here acknowledges the linguist to possess. It is 
undeniable that " a mouthful" (as John Bell has it) of nonsense and 
affectation, sounds far better, and is infinitely more imposing in a foreign* 
than in our mother tongue. 



IMPORTANCE OP PHYSIOLOGY. 349 

Jivered ; after this such lecturing fell into disuse. When I 
revived it twelve years ago, it was denounced as absurd and 
indelicate ; but it is now practised so extensively throughout 
the country, and the demand is so great, that if I had had 
ten lecturers in Britain, there would not have been more 
than might have been employed in filling the applications 
that I received. I perceive that a lady here has been lec- 
turing upon Physiology to ladies, and that for this one of 
the papers has covered her with abuse. Of the character 
of the lectures I am entirely ignorant, and can say nothing ; 
but, as every thing formed by the Creator has purity for its 
essence, I may say that if they were delivered with proper 
delicacy, 1 can conceive of nothing calculated to be half 
so useful to the sex to which they were addressed. 

I take the liberty to urge very earnestly on your atten- 
tion, not only the advantage, but the necessity of intro- 
ducing instruction in Anatomy and Physiology into popu- 
lar education. The great laws of health cannot be under- 
stood, nor their importance appreciated, without this knowl- 
edge. I do not mean that you should teach your children 
all the minute details of these sciences, which would be 
necessary if you intended them to practice medicine and 
surgery. All I desire is, that the structure of the leading 
organs of the body should be explained so far as to render 
their functions intelligible ; and, that on this knowledge 
should be founded a clear and practical elucidation of the 
laws of health. I can certify, from observation, that this 
instruction may be communicated to children of ten years 
of age and upward, with great success. The structure ad- 
dresses their observing faculties, and an explanation of the 
functions is as interesting to them as a romantic story. 

One great advantage of the training I recommend is, 
that by bringing the mind into contact with Nature, you 
give it a sure footing on which to rest. Mere word-learn- 
ing has no foundation but the opinion of this great doctor, 
or that great professor, or the third great writer ; but when 

30 



350 INAPPROPRIATE TRAINING. 

you come to Nature, you feel that it is the work of God, 
that you are on a rock. This gives healthy activity to the 
mind, and prepares it to discharge energetically the duties 
of life. By such a method of training to walk east in the 
school, you are enabling pupils to walk west in active 
life. 

Then, in the last place, religion should form nn impor- 
tant part of education. But, instead of appealing to the 
religious feelings by words merely, take children to the 
works of creation, point to the hand of God in all things ; 
and thus teach them not merely a speculative religion for 
Sunday, but teach them that God is in and around them ; 
that in every movement of their existence they live, move, 
and have their being, supported by His power, rewarded 
by His goodness, restrained by His justice and mercy ; 
that every act of their lives has a consequence of good or 
evil annexed to it, according as it harmonizes with or is in 
opposition to the immutable laws of our Creator. 

The sort of training to which children have been, and 
are even yet, subjected, may be illustrated by an anecdote 
which I had from the old lady who is therein mentioned, 
and who related to me her plan of education and mode of 
discipline with evident self-satisfaction. Her grandson re- 
sided with her, and she took particular pains in his educa- 
tion — the best which she thought it possible to give him 
being to teach him to repeat by rote psalms and chapters in 
the Bible. One day John's cousins were coming to visit 
him, and she was very desirous that he should make an ex- 
tra display ; so she set him double tasks. " Now, Johnny," 
said she, " learn your tasks well, and I will give you a large 
piece of bunn." Those who do not know what a Scotch 
bunn is, need be told that it consists of currants, spices, 
butter, raisins, almonds, and other things, with just enough 
of flour to make them stick together. John learned his les- 
son, ate his piece of bunn, and passed the evening in 
great excitement with his cousins. When he went to bed, 



INAPPROPRIATE TRAINING. :{^1 

his brain was so much excited that he could not sleep, and 
his bunn remained undigested on his stomach. Next day, 
being Sunday, he went to church with his grandmother; 
but instead of attending to the sermon as usual, he fell 
asleep. She was much displeased at this, and poked him 
continually with her elbow to keep him awake, but to no 
purpose. After church was over, she scolded him, and he 
promised to sleep at church no more. They took dinner 
and went to church again, when, in spite of his resolution, 
and grandmother's poking, John slept again. After comin^ 
home she set him to learn two chapters in the Bible — one 
as his regular task, and one as a punishment. He was 
ashamed of his conduct, and tried to learn them, but could 
not. " Oh, Johnny ! Johnny l n said his grandmother, " you 
are a very naughty boy, and I did not expect this from 
you !" His grandmother's reproaches fell heavily upon 
John's feelings and he made a great effort to master his 
task ; but in vain. His exhausted brain could not retain 
one word of the chapters. His efforts, however, caused 
violent excitement in his head. His cheeks were flushed 
and his temples throbbed. Suddenly he burst into a loud 
fit of crying. " What is the matter now, Johnny?" cried 
the good old lady. " I have got a dreadful tooth-ache," said 
he. " Oh, Johnny, you see what comes of being a bad boy. 
God has sent you the tooth-ache as a punishment for sleep- 
ing in the church." So thought Johnny's grandmother; 
but a rational physiologist would say, that it was a lucky 
circumstance for the child that he had a decayed tooth on 
which the nervous excitement seized, before his brain was 
forced into a state of inflammation or some other violent dis- 
ease was induced. The child was now put to bed and 
happily awoke next morning refreshed by sleep and well. 
But it is evident that his grandmother had given him a most 
erroneous and detrimental view of God's administration of 
the world, when she ascribed to his vindictive wrath a re- 
sult that was clearly imputable to her own ignorant infrac- 



352 INAPPROPRIATE TRAINING. 

tion of the laws of health which he had established for the 
welfare of the child. I dwell on this incident the more 
earnestly because it shows, that mere piety and religious 
knowledge are not sufficient to guide a parent to rational 
treatment of a child, without knowledge of its natural con- 
stitution. 

Just think what must be the effect of such training and 
instruction. The Grandmother excites his faculties un- 
duly, and does this by bribing his propensities. The in- 
digestible bunn deranges the system, and abstracts the 
nervous energy from the brain, incapacitating him from at- 
tending to the sermon. He sleeps, and is told, that this is 
committing a great sin. In consequence of the excited and 
deranged state of the system, a tooth, which happened to 
have a tendency to disease, begins to ache, and God, he is 
told, had sent this tooth-ache to punish him for sleeping in 
church. What an idea this boy must have had of the ad- 
ministration of God's government ! 

I would advise parents to study the works of Nature for 
themselves, that when their children, eager for knowledge, 
inquire from them concerning things, they may be able to 
answer their inquiries, and not send them away as though 
they were rude in their behaviour. See well to your schools ; 
let the constitution of man be taught, and its relations to 
external nature. To do this is imperative ; for in this, of 
all countries under the canopy of heaven, knowledge and 
virtue are most needed. Your people wield the destinies 
of this nation, and yet they are essentially an uneducated 
people, in the sense in which I use the word. How can 
they govern successfully, when themselves are uninstruct- 
ed. The eyes of all civilized nations are upon you ; you 
are the hope of the philosopher and the philanthropist. 
For God's sake, do not shipwreck the cause of humanity ! 






APPEARANCES OFTEN MISLEAD. 353 



LECTURE XVI. 

THE APPLICATION OF PHRENOLOGY TO THE PRESENT AND 
PROSPECTIVE CONDITION OF THE UNITED STATES. 

Two years ago I was enabled to quit the profession of 
the law, and devote myself to the science of ray affections. 

I did not come here for want of opportunities or importu- 
nities in my own country. Applications to lecture reached 
me from all parts ; so many, indeed, that it would have 
taken two years to have complied with them all. One reason 
of my leaving Britain was to give others the opportunity 
of distinguishing themselves, and showing their zeal by the 
advocacy of Phrenology. I had also another reason. I 
have visited many countries, for the purpose of judging for 
myself the effects of different forms of government on the 
character and happiness of the people ; — Prussia, Austria, 
Bavaria, France and Switzerland, for instance. Now, 
your government has presented a problem among nations, 
of peculiar interest and importance ; and I came here for 
the purpose of judging for myself of its operation, and of 
sowing among you the seeds of Phrenology. 

In the course of my lectures I have made some observa- 
tions on your institutions ; in this lecture I shall make 
others. But I must always be understood as speaking of 
things as they appear to me. I once visited a part of Som- 
ersetshire in which the soil is very light, and there saw a 
man guide a light plough drawn by four large horses. 

II What a waste of strength is here !" I thought. I ex- 
pressed this opinion to a very intelligent farmer whom I 
met next day in society. " You, sir," said he, "judge as 

30* 



354 IN WHAT LIBERTY CONSISTS. 

strangers naturally do, and think we are very foolish ; but 
it is our business to train horses for the London market, 
and this is the plan we take to break in the young horses 
to labour, which increases the price when we come to sell 
them." When I speak of America, I speak from appear- 
ances, and as a stranger, liable to draw erroneous infer- 
ences. 

America is justly proud of her superior constitution and 
political independence ; but if I were to ask different 
Americans in what the superiority consists, I should have 
very different answers. Phrenology solves the question 
more precisely than any other system of mental philosophy. 
It teaches us that all the faculties seek enjoyou-iit, and take 
pleasure in activity; that the more and the higher the 
faculties in action are, the greater the pleasure ; and that 
the fewer and lower the faculties in action, the less the 
pleasure ; — the highest enjoyment, however, being pro- 
duced by the virtuous activity of all the faculties. The 
question then is — What effect have forms of government 
on the activity of the faculties 1 

Austria is a military but still a civilized despotism, and 
there is great room for the activity of the faculties. The 
propensities have as full play as in other countries ; pro- 
perty is sacred ; the laws are justly administered ; the 
social affections may all be indulged with safety ; fashion 
has full scope ; Love of Approbation and Self-Esteem are 
in a great measure provided with gratification by means of 
rank, title, and government offices. What, then, is want- 
ing? — in what is Austria behind free countries'? In this: 
no activity is allowed to the moral faculties beyond the 
sphere of private life ; the p'ay of the higher sentiments in 
the social circle, in improving the physical, moral and in- 
tellectual condition of the people, is forbidden to all who 
are not in the employment of the emperor, and positive 
impediments are thrown in the way of the intellectual 
faculties. The people are allowed only a certain kind of 



GOVERNMENT OF AUSTRIA. 433 

instruction. They are instructed in the Catholic as the 
only true religion, and are taught to look upon themselves 
as beings whose duty is implicit obedience to the govern- 
ment. They are allowed to learn mathematics, Greek and 
Latin ; but every work is carefully prescribed which is 
deemed likely to disturb the stability of government by 
enlightening them on political subjects. If a man finds 
any thing wrong, he must not complain, and strive for its 
improvement. If he wishes to establish a school for the 
instruction of his own and his neighbours' children on some 
new plan, he dares not do it. As an instance of the opera- 
tion of that government, I may remark, that on visiting the 
lunatic asylum of Vienna, I found the patients in a most 
deplorable condition — shut up in cells, two in each, with- 
out any exercise, and kept in a way more distressing and 
cruel than any I had ever seen or heard of. The people 
of Austria are very benevolent, and deplore these things, 
but must wait for the action of government. The govern- 
ment itself is benevolent to its own subjects, and supplies 
these poor lunatics with abundance of food and clothing ; 
but they have neither air, exercise nor employment ; they 
are kept like wild animals in cells, well fed, but no treat- 
ment is administered to their minds. On remonstrating 
with the physician, he told me that no one could be more 
sensible than himself of the improper treatment suffered by 
the insane, through the want of proper physical accommo- 
dation, but that any servant of the Austrian government 
who should say things were better any where else, would 
be told to leave Austria. A manufacturer informed me 
that in consequence of travelling in England and France, 
he wished to have his son educated in those countries ; but 
knowing this would not be permitted by the government, he 
got a passport from one town to another until he arrived at 
the borders of Switzerland, when he passed him over the 
line like a piece of contraband goods. You will see by 
this, that a man whose moral and intellectual faculties are 



356 GOVERNMENT OF PRUSSIA. 

of a high order, must be made to feel the iron in his soul 
continually ; for the higher he is in the moral and intel- 
lectual scale, and the more desirous he is to elevate the 
character of those below him, and raise them to the su- 
premacy of the sentiments, the more keenly does he feel 
the stern hand of despotism press upon the noblest prompt- 
ings of his nature, and cramp and fetter his highest aspi- 
rations. 

Prussia was in the same state as Austria, until the gov- 
ernment was overthrown by Napoleon in 1805. After its 
restoration, however, it saw its former error. The mass of 
the people had been so oppressed as to lose all national 
feeling, and fall an easy prey to the invader. To create a 
national feeling was then the great object, and this could 
be done only by raising the mass to some importance. Ac- 
cordingly the serfs were set free, and a system of education 
adopted which soon brought about a favourable change. 
Prussia, then, is a despotism, but a liberal despotism. The 
education provided is superior to that of any other country 
of Europe, at any rate, and I think we must not except the 
United States. The government is very well administered ; 
its officers are gentlemanly in their conduct ; the post-office 
is well attended to ; the whole of the stage coaches are 
under the supervision of government, but care is taken that 
there shall be nothing of which to complain. If a passen- 
ger arrive more than the regular conveyance will accom- 
modate, a conveyance is furnished expressly for him. 
The laws are admirably administered. In what then does 
the inferiority of this government consist 1 I have said 
that happiness is the result of the activity of the faculties ; 
and while the Prussian government does every thing for 
the people, it allows the people to do nothing for them- 
selves. The following circumstance may serve as an illus- 
tration : When I was there, one serious evil began to deve- 
lope itself. The provision for the education of the females 
is so much inferior to that of the males, that great disparity 



GOVERNMENT OF GREAT BRITAIN. 867 

is the result, and the former are losing respect. This was 
much regretted by many, but it was understood that gov- 
ernment felt more inclined to diminish the education of the 
males than to increase that of the females. u But," said 
I, to a very influential Prussian, " why do you not com- 
mence schools yourselves of a higher order V* " You 
talk," was his reply, " like a Briton. Here nothing must 
be done without the government ; should any private indivi- 
dual attempt to commence an improved public academy 
for females, without the sanction of government, he would 
quickly be stopped." Missionary societies have their rules 
prescribed by government, and spies are at every meeting, 
to take care that those rules are not violated. Again, the 
government is so enlightened that it allows the higher minds 
of the country to publish any work they please concerning 
government even, so that it contain no appeal to the passions, 
and is published in an octavo volume of three hundred pages. 
From the philosophers of Berlin, works appear containing 
the most liberal and enlightened views, but in a style ill 
calculated to arouse the energies of the mass, and at a 
price beyond their reach ; but, if, in any practical reform, a 
man attempts to go forward faster than the government, it 
immediately arrests his progress ; if he persists, it crushes 
him. In this way is a bridle put into the mouth of the 
higher sentiments, and their activity curbed. 

Let us turn to the government of Great Britain and Ire- 
land. We have enjoyed liberty for centuries, and claim to 
be the fathers of your liberty. We have the right to say 
or print what we please, in what form we please ; we have the 
right to do any thing we think proper, providing we inter- 
fere not with the rights of others ; the exercise of freedom 
in religious opinions is as great there as here. We have, 
however, two bulwarks which arrest, to some extent, the 
activity of the higher sentiments. The first of these is the 
hereditary aristocracy, which is attended with this great 
evil : it creates a body of men who have no sympathy with 



358 HEREDITARY ARISTOCRACY. NATIONAL CHURCH. 

the lower orders, yet have the power of giving effect to 
their own will, and of keeping the people from the enjoy- 
ment of their rights. The existence of such an order has 
this effect on the middle classes of society : it prevents 
them from being, as they should be, the natural protectors 
of those beneath them, leads them when they acquire 
wealth to look constantly upward with the hope of becoming 
ranked with the aristocracy ; and thus, in fact, do some of 
the highest and most energetic mkids become absorbed 
into the privileged ranks. And what is the effect ? 
Our humbler classes are, generally, deplorably ig- 
norant ; many of them are immoral, and too many of 
them poor. Every philanthropist must desire to improve 
their condition. But frequently men of the lower and 
middling classes, who, by superior talents and energy, rise in 
the scale of fortune and influence are ashamed of the class 
whence they sprung, and, instead of striving with them and 
for them, they put their heels upon and assist to crush 
them. They are blinded to the evils and degradations 
which they themselves have escaped, are parties to the con- 
tinuance of wrongs which should wring their hearts with 
sympathy, and the hope of removing which should nerve 
their arms with more than human energy. But instead, 
the aristocracy gathers around it the principal talent of the 
country from every other class ; and the influence of their 
rank is such, that if two men come forward for office, one a 
lord and the other low-born, whatever may be the charac- 
ter of the former, he will, in general, receive ten votes for 
the other's one ; in short he would carry the election 
against the angel Gabriel. 

The other institution to which 1 alluded is the Church 
of England. A vast number of men are privileged by law 
to expound religion, for which they receive immense emo- 
luments. The parliament, some centuries ago, when people 
were neither wiser nor better than they are now, fixed cer- 
tain interpretations of scripture as containing the only true 



ON THE UNION OF CHURCH AND STATE. 359 

vill of God, and prescribed particular tenets as necessary 
co salvation. To these tenets men must subscribe before 
they are permitted to enter on the duties of various official 
stations. This doubtless leads to hypocrisy in many, and 
acts as a barrier to high minded men. There is a strong 
party in England and Scotland, who advocate national 
education. The national churches of both countries say 
— We will agree to it, if you will give us the control of 
the system. But the dissenters say — No ! we cannot do 
that. Thus, through the influence of these political church- 
establishments, this most important measure is prevented 
from coming into operation. The authoritative declaration 
by public men of certain points of faith, as being the only 
true expositions of the will of God, the offering of large 
emoluments to those persons who choose to espouse these 
interpretations, and visiting with obloquy, exclusion and 
disqualification those who doubt them, and especially the 
investing of these dogmas with the attribute of infallible 
truth, so that every man who proposes to improve them, is 
punished for heresy, and excluded from Christian privi- 
leges, is at once to anchor theology so that it shall be im- 
possible for it to advance with the increasing knowledge 
of the age, and to tie up the moral and intellectual facul- 
ties of society from all free honest and independent activity 
in the highest and most momentous field of human enquiry 
— religion. This union of church and state — this anchor- 
ing of religion, doubtless trammels the activity of the moral 
and intellectual faculties ; the tendency of which is always, 
when allowed fair play, to raise the character of a people. 
In this country you are free from such shackles. The fa- 
culties are allowed to take their full swing; you have no 
hereditary aristocracy to lord it over you — no established 
church to tell you peremptorily what you must or should 
believe. And this is the great distinction between your go- 
vernment and ours ; an advantage which none but such as 
are acquainted with the true philosophy of mind can fully 



360 ACTIVITY OP ACQUISITIVENESS IN THE UNITED STATES. 

appreciate. Do you fully appreciate these high privileges ? 
I think that many look upon them as a matter rather of 
bragging and egotism than any thing else. 

We have seen that in Austria the higher faculties are kept 
as in a stagnant pool ; that in Prussia they are allowed 
much more activity ; in England vastly more ; and that in 
this country they are allowed full swing. Now all the fa- 
culties have a sphere of virtuous activity, but they have 
also a wide sphere of abuse. For instance, it is impossible 
to live here six months without seeing the many temptations 
to which Acquisitiveness is subjected. I have before said 
that to this faculty we are indebted for momentous obliga- 
tions. It inspires us with the love of acquisition, which 
prompts us to build ships, to construct roads, to make ca- 
nals, to gather around us the comforts — the conveniences — 
the luxuries of life ; but to its activity Providence has set 
limits, which limits many seem to overlook. Acquisitive- 
ness is burning in its desires morning, noon and night ; 
men forget the conditions on which the accumulation of 
property depends, and strive to obtain it by improper means. 
Wealth does not come like rain from the clouds, neither can 
it be gathered in the streets. It is the product of labour, 
skill, and energy assiduously applied in some useful pur- 
suit. By gambling and speculation men may create a sud- 
den and fictitious, an unjust and injurious distribution of 
wealth ; but they cannot, by such means, create wealth it- 
self; any more than they can add a bushel of wheat to the 
sum total of last year's crop by speculating on its rise or 
fall. Many of your people appear to me to be so much 
excited by the blind impulses of Acquisitiveness, that they 
never spend a thought upon the laws which nature has pre- 
scribed to the production and distribution of wealth. They 
gamble and speculate instead of labouring to produce and 
acquire property according to nature's conditions. They 
M hasten to be rich and fall into a snare." On what wealth 
does depend, it becomes you to teach your children j and 






SELF-E8TEEM — LOVE OF APPROBATION. 361 

to obtain it in a proper manner it becomes you to train 
them. Recollect, that Acquisitiveness is one of the pro- 
pensities, anil should be subordinate to the moral senti- 
ments. Bear in mind the beautiful saying of Sir Walter 
Scott when on his death-bed. " Remember, " said he to a 
relative, " that the good which you have done to others is 
the only thing which will give consolation when you come 
to be where I now am. 11 

Self-Esteem is the fountain of independence. It was 
Self-Esteem that led your ancestors to these shores. They 
could not brook the injustice and indignities that were 
heaped upon them in their native land, and preferred the 
wilderness with freedom, to the homes of their fathers ac- 
companied by mental bondage and degradation. It was 
Self-Esteem that achieved your independence. You owe it 
much ; but take care that it become not excessive. You 
have no hereditary aristocracy ; each man feels his weight 
as an influencer of public affairs ; and you may become 
so enamoured of your own importance, as to forget that 
you need improvement ; — like the man of great talent, men- 
tioned by Madame de Stael, who, instead of making him- 
self useful, spent his time in admiring the marvellous sum 
of his own attainments. The stock of useful and refined 
knowledge and of solid moral and religious qualities, which 
you, as a people, possess, constitutes your real excellence ; 
but Self-Esteem does not measure itself by these. It mea- 
sures itself by itself, and it is often most highly gratified 
when these are very greatly deficient. You should guard your 
children against illusions of this faculty and teach them to 
estimate themselves by the real standard of positive attain- 
ments. 

In this country your institutions cultivate Love of Appro- 
bation with extraordinary force. Before a man can wield 
influence, acquire distinction, or rise in the scale of social 
estimation, he must be popular; and no man can acquire 
popularity by the fearless manifestation of his moral senti- 

31 



362 SUPERIORITY OP THE UNITED STATES'GOVERNMENT. 

ments and intellect, because the people are not always calm, 
wise, intelligent and virtuous, and they rarely give their 
voices to those who tell them that they are in the wrong. — 
Your institutions offer a strong inducement, therefore, to 
public men to substitute flattery for truth, in their addresses 
to the people. It has struck me that moral courage, or that 
high minded independence which seeks the true and the 
useful at all hazards, and relies on the right for vindicating 
itself and for sustaining its advocates through all perils, is 
not so abundant in this country as its welfare demands. — 
Each man is afraid of stepping forward to press any un- 
popular measure, lest he should hurt the Self-Esteem of 
others, and should himself lose popularity. If this be so, 
the mind is in a great measure bound here, as in despotic 
countries. The great tendency of Self-Esteem and Love 
of Approbation, when undirected by the higher sentiments, 
would be to obtain place and popularity by fawning upon 
and flattering the people, and pampering their prejudi- 
ces. The moral sentiments would lead men to seek the 
highest interest of the people, by raising their character, 
even if they had to press upon their attention unpalatable 
truths. The distinction is well worthy of remembrance. 

The great superiority of your institutions, then, appears 
to me to consist in their permitting the fullest activity of all 
the faculties ; and the duty of every citizen is so to mani- 
fest them in his public and private deportment, that each 
power shall play gracefully and happily within the sphere 
of its legitimate action. It has been said sarcastically of 
your people that they consider themselves so free as to be 
independent even of the natural laws. Every man who 
does not recognize an obligation on himself, imposed by 
the law of God, to act nobly, honourably, and rationally 
in proportion to his freedom from human tyranny, has not 
yet formed a conception of the first element of liberty. — 
Washington told you that, by an eternal decree of Provi- 
dence, happiness can exist only in the proportion in which 



VIRTUE THE RESULT OF PROPER TRAINING. 363 

virtue is practised, and his whole life was a commentary 
on this precept. Phrenology leads us to the same conclu- 
sion. Virtue cannot be learned by listening to precepts ; it 
requires afield of action ; and your institutions are invalua- 
ble as affording the widest and freest field for virtuous ac- 
tion ever enjoyed by any people in the world. All history 
affords examples that action is the only mode by which vir- 
tuous habits can be formed. We see that, during the 
French Revolution, blood and rapine stalked through the 
country. And why? Clearly because under the ancien 
regime, the moral and intellectual faculties of the nation had 
been denied all legitimate sphere of action, they were dor- 
mant and their organs feeble. When the people burst sud- 
denly with freedom, a vast impulse was given to all their 
faculties. Their animal propensities took the lead, as they 
always do when they have not been trained, in action, to 
obey the higher powers, and every crime that could degrade 
and disgrace our nature was committed. This point is well 
illustrated, too, by the conduct of the ministers of the 
Scotch Church. This Church is a republic, the ministers 
in general assembly forming the legislature. Now each 
minister is, in his own parish, treated with the greatest de- 
ference, and is quite unused to contradiction. He is not 
tried by exciting causes applied to his lower propensities ; 
and his moral sentiments are, therefore, not trained to restrain 
and direct them, when excited by external provocations. 
When the Synod meets, the members seem to expect that 
the same deference shall be paid to their opinions there as 
at home; and when the correctness of their arguments or 
sentiments is doubted, or they meet with contradiction, the 
most stormy and abusive scenes ensue, utterly astonishing 
not only to the people, but even to the ministers themselves. 
To such an extent is this carried, that Dr. Andrew Thom- 
son, one of its most distinguished members, designated the 
Scotch Synod as the most unprincipled assembly in Eu- 
rope. Regard your Institutions, then, as a great field for 



364 NECESSITY OP A TRUE MENTAL PHILOSOPHY, 

training the propensities of your people to obey the gui- 
dance of the moral and intellectual powers, and you will 
not only reap a rich reward of prosperity and happiness, 
but cheer the soul of every friend of freedom all over the 
world. Every outrage committed here against social or- 
der, every infringement of justice, every low and degrading 
habit that can be laid to your charge, is balm to the souls 
of the despots of Europe ; the accounts of all your errors 
and misdeeds, and imperfections are faithfully transferred 
into every chronicle under the despot's sway, and the face 
of freedom is through you, represented, to the enthralled 
slaves, as hideous and vengeful. While the despot rejoices, 
the philanthropist hangs his head in sorrow and in shame. 
Reverse the picture ; show honour, justice, religion, phi- 
lanthropy, triumphant in your public and private character, 
and you will ring the knell of despotism in every clime. — 
This is no theory. I was told in Vienna, by a person high 
in the Imperial service, that the knowledge of your prosperity 
and that of France and England, was silently affecting the 
minds of the middling classes in the Austrian towns with 
discontent. That discontent, if you do your duty to Liber- 
ty, will ripen into an irresistible resolve to be free. 

The next question is — In what way may the best activ- 
ity of the faculties be promoted ? — and what kind of edu- 
cation is most rational? That to answer this, a true 
exposition of the mental constitution of man is necessary, 
cannot be doubted ; and if Phrenology be not true, where 
shall that exposition be found ? Some may answer, com- 
mon sense is a sufficient guide. But there is much error 
propagated under the sanction of what is called common 
sense. Bishop Whately has well exposed it. Ask a sailor 
about medical matters, and he will tell you that for the cure 
of disease common sense is quite sufficient ; but ask him 
whether a man can navigate a ship by common sense, he 
will hold you in contempt for the question, and inform you 
that common sense would soon send you to the bottom of 



NECESSITY OP A TRUE MENTAL PHILOSOPHY. 365 

the sea. Ask a blacksmith what preparation a preacher 
needs, he will probably tell you, a little common sense ; 
but ask him whether a man can shoe a horse by common 
sense : he is astonished at your ignorance, and informs you 
that you would soon get your brains kicked out for your 
attempt. Every man, in short, is willing to trust common 
sense in whatever is not intimately connected with his own 
immediate employment ; but in that he sees the absurdity 
of such dependence. So in the business of education: 
every man thinks common sense all sufficient, and each 
calls his own notions of the matter common sense. No 
need of the philosophy of mind, they imagine, for the 
mother and the teacher ; that is, the human mind can be 
trained, in ignorance of its true nature. 

But in fact every man, whose business it is to deal with 
the human mind, has a system of mental philosophy of his 
own, according to which he decides and acts. It may be 
a very imperfect system ; he may not recognize it as a sys- 
tem, but still it serves him as one, and by it he tries what- 
ever questions may arise in which mental acts or processes 
are involved. In this case each man, in lack of a standard 
of mental philosophy, takes himself as a standard ; but 
there can be no agreement as to the true mode of educa- 
tion, until we have a system of mental philosophy on which 
all agree. And I say again, if Phrenology be not that 
system, where is it? For God's sake make it known, for 
a system we must have. Before men can teach, they must 
know. There ought to be schools for instructing teachers ; 
and of the things taught, the constitution of man should be 
considered the most essential ; but before it can be taught, 
it must be known. It may be said that the Legislature 
could prescribe a system of instruction for youth which 
should come in place of a mental philosophy. This it 
could do ; but it would doubtless be drawn up in accord- 
ance with common sense. The question is, how will such 
a system agree with nature 1 Each teacher will think his 

31* 



366 ON THE TREATMENT OP TEACHERS* 

common sense equal to theirs ; and this is the last country 
in the world in which individuals are likely to be influenced 
by mere authority. To do any good — to have any unifor- 
mity, we must penetrate to the very foundations of nature ; 
and it is the beauty of your institutions, that when nature 
is recognized, it may instantly be followed. That such a 
system is not yet generally acknowledged, is evident from 
the vast differences of opinion which exist on the proper 
mode of conducting education. Go to Paris, to London, 
to New- York, ask about any principle of chemistry, and 
you will find perfect agreement. True, there are points 
on which chemists differ ; but then such points are a terra 
incognita in which science has not yet been reached. But 
ask men about education, and you hardly find two to 
agree; nor, until we have a true science of the human 
mind generally acknowledged, can there be such an agree- 
ment ; nor till there is such an agreement, can there be 
any united and well-directed efforts. 

Before much improvement can be expected, teachers 
must be raised in consideration and social rank ; and this 
can be accomplished only by increasing their own valuable 
attainments, and by teaching the people to appreciate and 
honour such qualities. In my own country, they are now 
not generally reckoned as fit companions for gentlemen ; 
they are not presented to company. Whence does this 
arise? From the circumstance, it appears to me, that 
their occupation has not been scientific, but empirical. But 
this must be allowed : If the man who takes care of our 
bodies is considered equal with the best of us, surely the 
man who takes care of the mind — trains and instructs it, 
should not be considered as below our companionship. So 
to consider him is a relic of barbarism. 

The great importance of a true philosophy of mind and 
correct process of training to the welfare and proper ad- 
ministration of your government is evident from this con- 
sideration. The majority of all the voters in the United 



YOUTH OP THE VOTERS IN THE UNITED STATES. 3G7 

States are under thirty-five years of aire, and this majority 
disposes of the whole interests of this great nation. Now 
there is no country in the world ruled hy men so yoUftg, 
so inexperienced. Before coming here, I was told that 
you are the most excitable people on earth ; and, since ar- 
riving, I think I have seen what proves the assertion to be 
true. And this, it appears to me, is the reason : Before 
thirty-five, all the propensities are in their greatest activity. 
By a law of our nature, they are far more energetic than 
at fifty or sixty ; and, before thirty-five, life has not been 
long enough to supply the deficiences and correct the errors 
of improper education. Education, then — correct educa- 
tion, moral training, instruction concerning the nature of 
man, the true sphere of his faculties, and the consequences 
of allowing the propensities to take the rein — instruction 
in the nature of wealth, of government, and the true ends 
of law, should be carried to their fullest extent, in order 
to compensate by education, as far as possible, for the want 
of experience. To place the destinies of a nation in the 
hands of men full of young blood without such preparation 
is extremely hazardous. 

There is, however, one great advantage which you pos- 
sess over many other countries, and that is in the number 
of safety valves through which explosions of public opinion 
may take place without endangering your whole institutions. 
In Austria the safety valves to opinion are few, and these are 
so loaded by oppressive laws and standing armies that it is 
difficult for an explosion to take place ; but, should it do so, 
it would carry ruin and desolation in its course. Your 
safety valves are not much loaded, and in number they are 
ten thousand times ten thousand. An explosion takes place, 
and passes quickly away. The timid bend their ears and 
prognosticate utter destruction : it is because they do not 
understand your government. Here the excited and mis- 
guided propensities rage and roar, but its only for a day ; 
their fervour is let off by a thousand outlets, and reason 



368 IMPORTANCE OP FEMALE EDUCATION* 

and morality speedily resume their sway. Recollect, how- 
ever, that any explosion, though it is far from destroying 
the government, shakes credit and leaves a pang. Let 
your safety valves be loaded with knowledge, and you need 
not fear the issue. 

The first thing, then, that you require, is a true philoso- 
phy of mind ; then teachers well trained and instructed 
according to this philosophy, who should be ranked as high 
in public estimation as any class of professional men. 
Then you require the parents to assist the teachers in their 
duties, which may be done in many ways. And on the 
parents, after all, two-thirds of all the effect produced de- 
pends. As an instance of what may be done by parents* I 
may mention a gentleman of Boston who gives his sons 
the shipping list of an evening, questions them about the 
places from which the ships come, gets them to point out 
the places on the map, questions them about the cargo, 
where and how manufactured or produced, and in this way 
he connects the instruction of the school with the practical 
business of life. 

Especially would I press upon your attention the import- 
ance of educating women not merely in embroidery and 
music, but in a knowledge of things, especially in a know- 
ledge of the human constitution. Every man must ac- 
knowledge that Woman operates on human character in 
the most powerful manner. She works on soil highly sus- 
ceptible of impressions. To send her out into society to be 
a wife and mother, without one philosophical idea, appears 
to me utterly barbarous and absurd. Irrational as has been 
the education of boys, the education of young ladies has 
been and is much more so. Aroused to the importance of 
this subject, some institutions have recently been commen- 
ced providing for their education in a much more ample 
manner than heretofore. We have established in Edin- 
burgh a sort of female college, called " The Scottish In- 
stitution for the education of Young Ladies*" The annual 



ON RELIGIOUS DIFFERENCES. 369 

charge of which is twenty guineas ; for this may be pursued 
under the most able professors, a course of study almost 
co-extensive with that of the Edinburgh College. 

The pupils are for the day under the general guardian- 
ship of the lady superintendent, to whom is intrusted the 
guidance of their morals and behaviour. The following are 
the branches taught in this establishment ; Elocution and 
Composition, History and Geography, Writing, Arithmetic, 
and Book-keeping; theory of Music and the Piano Forte, 
Singing, Dancing and Perspective ; Mathematics, Astrono- 
my and Mathematical Geography ; Italian language and 
Literature, Dancing and Calisthenics, besides which there 
are regular courses of Lectures on Natural Philosophy, 
Chemistry, Natural History, Geology and Mineralogy, as 
well as on Physiology and Ancient and Modern History. 
These Lectures are delivered by the Collegiate Professors. 

You want a true philosophy of mind, to give more per- 
manence and uniformity to religious opinions — to teach 
you the nature of the instrument by which you read the 
scriptures, and the absurdity of any man assuming infalli- 
bility in the interpretation of mere doctrinal points. In the 
old country there is a surprising feeling of insecurity about 
religion. They seem to think it a pyramid resting on its 
apex ; and you see the bishops and parsons on one side, 
the deacons on another, and the laymen on the third, strain- 
ing themselves to keep it up, all seeming to think that if 
they were to withdraw their support, it would fall into a 
thousand pieces. But when you see, by means of Phreno- 
logy, that religion springs from the human faculties as wheat 
springs from the soil in which it has been sown, you per- 
ceive religion like a pyramid on its base. You feel the ut- 
most confidence that it can never be shaken — much less 
overthrown, and that to attempt its destruction would be 
like pushing against the everlasting rocks. A knowledge 
of the human faculties would teach men that from the dif- 
ferent degrees of development of the various feelings have 



370 CRIME NOT INCREASED BY EDUCATION. 

the various sects arisen. From Veneration arises the ten- 
dency to adore ; from Wonder the tendency to dwell on 
the astonishing and supernatural ; from Hope brilliant an- 
ticipations of the future ; from Ideality love of the perfect 
and beautiful ; from Conscientiousness the love of justice ; 
from Benevolence the love of goodness and charity. Now 
religion appears to me to be still in the scholastic state ; the 
existing interpretations of the scripture have been adopted 
in much ignorance both of external nature and the human 
mind. The interpreters have assumed each his own men- 
tal constitution as the standard of nature, and as they have 
been variously endowed, they have interpreted the scrip- 
tures in such a way as to gratify their predominating fa- 
culties, instead of in accordance with the true philosophy 
of man. As men become more enlightened, they will per- 
ceive that they have been contending principally about mi- 
nor points. They will learn to distinguish what is essen- 
tial from what is unessential. They will become more 
charitable and more united in the bonds of amity and love, 
There is now a state of transition which occasions those 
who perceive not the true state of things to feel particular- 
ly uneasy. They imagine that the ground is passing away 
from under them. Many existing interpretations do in- 
deed totter ; but let not the most timid fear : these trem- 
blings will merely shake off the errors which adhere to 
Christianity, obstruct its progress, and impair its useful- 
ness. 

The enemies of Education say that Crime increases in 
proportion as Education is promoted ; and the statistical re- 
turns seem to favour their assertions. But they forget that what 
is called Education is merely instruction in words or signs. 
The instruments of Education have been put into men's 
hands, but they have not been educated. They have received 
no proper instruction concerning either physical or human 
nature, and have not been trained to the practice of good- 
ness. Let the opponents of Education show that Crime has 



ON THE TREATMENT OP CRIMINALS. ,'J7l 

been increased by training the intellectand moral sentiments 
to proper activity, and then We will give the matter up. 

There is a great difference id the mode of treating crim- 
inals in different countries, and it is pleating to see you take 
the lead in criminal jurisprudence. 15ut to inflict a certain 
amount of punishment for a certain amount of crime seems 
to be the chief resource, after all. In some countries men 
are scourged ; here you lock them up in cells. The laws 
of all countries prescribe a certain quantity of suffering as the 
retribution for a certain extent of crime, without inquiring 
into the causes of the crime, or the effects of the punishment. 
This is legislating for a fact, and not with reference to its 
cause and the results of the treatment. Phrenology will lead 
men to see that crime cannot be prevented till its causes are 
removed ; and that there are excessive or defective devel- 
opments of certain organs in the brain, acting under the 
influence of adverse local circumstances. I have said that 
criminals are scourged and locked up in cells. Now what 
effect have these punishments on the mind ] Certainly 
not the only desirable one, to diminish the activity of the 
propensities and increase that of the sentiments. Nay, you 
deprive the man of all stimulus, to the moral faculties, leave 
him to the constant brooding of revenge, and render him 
not a better but a more cunning man. Hard labour, low 
diet and silence, have been tried, There is no doubt that 
they enfeeble the propensities ; but they do so by enfeebling 
the whole mind. Now, you want a course of treatment 
which will enfeeble the propensities, while it strengthens 
the moral sentiments. A few years ago tread-mills were 
the rage. The Phrenologist, knowing that fatiguing the 
muscles would neither permanently diminish the causes of 
crime, the over activity of the propensities, nor increase the 
activity of the sentiments, laughed at the idea. Phrenology 
teaches us that with one class of minds we should proceed by 
keeping them from association with the degraded and im- 
moral, use every means to cultivate the higher sentiments, 



372 ON THE TREATMENT OP THE INSANE. 

and increase the number of higher minds that hold com- 
munication with them. The lowest class of criminals 
should be kept in perpetual restraint. 

The treatment of the insane is a matter of vast import- 
ance. The most afflicted of the human race, they have 
had their afflictions increased tenfold by the ignorant and 
inhuman treatment to which they have been subjected : 
small grated cells, and chains, and flagellations, and in- 
sults, have been their lot. Much amelioration has indeed 
taken place in many sections, but much remains to be done. 
To know the true mode of treatment, we must understand 
the mind, its mode of manifestation, and its dependence 
on material organization. And what teaches this but 
Phrenology ? Accordingly, Phrenology has been the great 
reformer of the treatment of the insane. 

I read to-day of a woman in easy circumstances who 
had cut her child's throat and then killed herself. The 
Phrenologist at once recognizes in this case unequivocal 
evidence of disease. By the spread of Phrenology atten- 
tion will be called to diseased conditions of the brain in 
their early manifestations ; and by proper remedial mea- 
sures they will be arrested in their early stages. Phrenol- 
ogy, too, will enable men to give rational evidence in courts 
on cases of insanity, instead of the inconsistent, contradic- 
tory and absurd evidence which is now given. 

Phrenology has a great tendency to encourage and give 
confidence to the good. In my own country, meu with a 
large coronal region, reflective faculties and ideality, shrink 
from the turmoil, bustle and degradation consequent on 
becoming a candidate for public office ; and those who are 
most eager after distinction are often found to have little 
except Self-Esteem and Love of Approbation to recom- 
mend them, their coronal region being often small. They 
will send round their emissaries to learn what opinions or 
measures are popular among the electors, and then come 
out in their advocacy with all their might. The people are 



WE MUST LOVE OUR NEIGHBOURS AS OUR6ELVES. 373 

thus pleased and deceived into the election of an unworthy 
man. When Phrenology shall be well known, the highly 
moral and intellectual men will find their place, and stand 
shoulder to shoulder in the great work of human advance- 
ment. 

It is a law of nature that for moral advancement to take 
place we must love our neighbour as ourselves. The con- 
dition of each influences the happiness of the rest. We 
see this illustrated in the letters of the Secretary to the 
Governor of Van Dieman's Land. The influence of the 
character of the convicts on the society there is most stri- 
king. The change is great even in the most virtuous. The 
convicts have to be governed by the lash : in them the pro- 
pensities fearfully predominate, and the masters are contin- 
ually harassed and soured by suspicion and watching. So 
in Ireland the great mass of the people is in a wretched and 
degraded condition. I have seen their wretchedness and 
its effects on the higher classes. In this country, as in 
others, men must have their neighbours happy that they 
may be happy themselves. For this you should continually 
strive ; you cannot stand still ; you must advance into the 
region of the sentiments or fall back on the propensities. 
Some think you are doing the latter — but of this I have 
little fear : you are the pyramid on its base. I do entreat 
of you to justify this opinion by educating all your child- 
ren in a manner which shall give superiority to the intellect 
and moral sentiments. It has been well said by a gentle- 
tleman of Boston, that in America you have taken every 
man in the country into copartnery : it is a copartnery 
for life — you cannot dissolve it if you would. Among 
you especially, then, is the happiness and welfare of each 
linked with the happiness and welfare of all. To elevate the 
character of your whole population should therefore be 
your highest aim. 

Phrenology, it is stated, has been injured by quackery. 
If so, it is the fault of those who should have been its 

33 



374 ON THE OPPOSITION TO PHRENOLOGY. 

warmest supporters. If thrust out of refined society, it must 
take refuge with the humble. Are we never to be taught 
by experience ? Will men go on forever treating impor- 
tant discoveries with contumely ? The clergy have been 
strong opponents of Phrenology ; and this is to be regret- 
ted ; but the history of the world shows that in all ages re- 
ligion has been thrown at the head of science. They seem 
to forget the plain proposition that what does exist does ex- 
ist, and cannot be overthrown ; that God is the author of 
nature as well as of revelation, and therefore no want of 
harmony is possible ; that all truth, in short, is God's truth. 
For the clergy, however, I beg leave to apologize. Princi- 
pal Baird once remarked to me that the clergy stand in a 
peculiar position — having their own arduous tasks to per- 
form, and to deal with all kinds of minds. " All you can 
expect from us," said he, " is that we stand aside till you 
convince the people of the truth of your doctrines," We 
should be well pleased if the clergy would follow this course, 
They are not called upon to take the lead in every novel 
doctrine that appears ; but what I complain of is, that 
many of them, in profound ignorance of the nature, merits 
and evidence of Phrenology, throw the whole weight of 
their individual and professional character into the scale 
against it, and imbue many excellent minds with the worst 
prejudices regarding its consequences. If Phrenology be 
true it is God's truth, and to calumniate it, in His name, is 
to commit treason against God and against God's people. 
It is clothing human pride, sloth, ignorance and folly with 
the sanctity which belongs only to the everlasting truth. — 
It is employing the Creator's name to scare away his peo- 
ple from examining his works. It is strengthening the 
hands of the Infidel ; because in due season, the truth will 
force its way to universal acceptation and the Infidel will 
then turn round and say, " These men cannot be the true 
interpreters of God's will, because they have not recog- 
nized God's work when presented before them but have 



ON THE OPPOSITION TO PHRENOLOGY. 375 

calumniated and repelled it." If Phrenology be false they 
are right ; but I declare to you with a full consciousness of 
the responsibility which I incur, that I have never seen 
more futile, disingenuous, and discreditable objections ; ob- 
jections more destitute of truth, honesty, and reason than 
those which have proceeded from many of the religious 
publications of my own country and from men pretending 
to the religious character. You can judge better than I 
can do, whether a similar or a better spirit reigns among 
religious persons here. 

Phrenology is now extensively believed in England, and 
would have met with a much better reception at first, had 
it not unfortunately fallen into the hands of professors and 
reviewers of second or third rate talents, who, startled by 
its novelty and incapable of comprehending its nature or 
evidence, poured forth torrents of abuse and misrepresenta- 
tion, which imbued the public mind, then enjoying no other 
means of information, with the worst prejudices against it. 
Physicians and ministers should both strive to compensate 
for the retardation they have caused. Let the former re- 
collect that Phrenology constitutes the noblest branch of 
Physiology, and the latter that there cannot be two Gods, 
a God of nature and a God of revelation. To those who, 
being convinced of the truths of Phrenology, acknowledge 
and advocate them with assiduity, regardless of the preju- 
dices that are arrayed against them, I offer the humble tri- 
bute of my praise. Verily they shall have their reward. 

With gratitude for the great attention you have paid to 
my observations throughout the course, with the hope that 
my humble efforts, of the imperfections of which I am 
deeply sensible, may be of some service, and with a sin- 
cere desire for your welfare, I bid you adieu. 

THE END. 



APPENDIX. 



No. I. 



TO WHAT EXTENT CAN MENTAL CHARACTER BE ASCERTAINED FROM EXTERNAL DE- 
VELOPMENT ALONE 7 

He who has followed the gifted lecturer through his entire course, will acknowledge 
that the extent to which phrenology enables us, in individual instances, to ascertain char- 
acter from development, constitutes a part only of its utility. Indeed, the physiognomical 
means which phrenology affords, have by many been overrated. It may be useful, there- 
fore, to examine into the extent to which phrenology does, in reality, enable us to infer indi- 
vidual character from external signs ; the obstacles which may affect the correctness of 
our conclusions ; and the limits beyond which lies the region of uncertainty and conjec- 
ture. 

But let the reader bear in mind that the question I am about to discuss is quite distinct 
from one with which, however, it may bo confounded, namely: — Can the true functions 
of the brain be ascertained by external developments? The affirmative of this question 
has been amply proved. Be it remembered that the slight departures from parallelism in the 
two tables of the skull, alluded to in the succeeding observations, offers no real impediment 
to the ascertainment of the brain's functions, because tho difference between a large and 
a small organ, when we seek for extreme cases, is immense ; and in proving a proposition, 
we are not only at liberty to select, but are bound to select those cases which afford the 
strongest evidence. We meet with cases daily, in which the correspondence between 
the large size of an organ, and the great manifestation of its faculty in one person, and 
the small size of the same organ, and the deficient manifestation of its faculty in another, 
are too obvious to admit of dispute. Contrast Chalmers and Hume in the region of 
Ideality, Haydn and Ormerod in that of Tune, Audubon and Milne in that of Color, Eu- 
stache and Gottfried in that of Benevolence, and you only see differences, such as the 
observant phrenologist continually meets in the daily walks of life. The temperament 
does not oppose an obstacle, because in the same individual the same temperament per- 
vades all the organs ; a very small Causality being accompanied by weak manifestations, 
a large Causality with more powerful manifestations, whether the temperament be lym- 
phatic or nervous. If it be lymphatic, all are lowered, if nervous, all are increased in 
intensity ; but in cither case, each one is so in proportion to its size. When I mention 
difference of quality, let it be recollected that this presents no obstacle, because the same 
quality pervades all the organs. In Sir Walter Scott's head, for example, Size and Tuno 



378 APPENDIX. 

were deficient, Cautiousness and Concentrativeness moderate. The fine quality of brain, 
and the power of retentiveness, did not infringe on the influence of Size, for he could no 
practice perspective with success, he never was a musician, he was incautious, and he 
wrote diffusely, in exact accordance with the defective size of these different organs. 
When I speak of the influence of education, let it be remembered that no obstacle is 
occasioned by this to the ascertainment of the functions of the brain ; for if we select a 
healthy subject with a very defective organ, it is incapable of education, — if it be very 
large, it educates herself. Tune in Ann Ormerod could not be rendered capabVs t>f even 
perceiving melody : Number in Zerah Colburn came into unprompted activity ; he was 
a profound arithmetician before his father knew that he could tell that twice two is four. 
That the functions of the brain can be, and that many of tbem have been, fully ascer- 
tained, I consider as clearly proved as any proposition of natural philosophy. 

Bearing in mind these preliminary observations, let us proceed to the consideration of 
the original question, namely, Can mental character be ascertained from external develop- 
ment alone 1 

The word character does not represent a homogeneous idea, but may be used in at least 
three significations. 

1. To represent the notion of a man's qualities which exists in the mind of another. This 
may be called his ascribed character. 

2. To represent the natural talents and dispositions of a man, or his mental capacity. 
This may be called his natural character. 

3. To represent the general mental condition of a man and his usual mode of mental 
manifestation within a given period of time. This may be called his actual character. 

It is sufficiently obvious that of the ascribed character of a man, we can have no uni- 
form organic indications ; for as no two minds are p rocisely alike, have precisely the same 
means of judging, or bear precisely the same relation to the mind observed, as no two 
would regard a person with the same instrument through the same medium, or from 
the same point of view, it follows that no two would make precisely the same estimate of 
his character, and some would differ as widely as possible. For the truth of this remark, 1 
may appeal to general experience. Who has not heard the most various and opposite 
qualities ascribed to the same individual 1 Who has not heard the most worthy men rep- 
resented as mean, avaricious, and unprincipled, and the most worthless lauded as honor- 
able, high-spirited, and noble-minded. Nor is this diversity of opinion confined to disposi- 
tions ; it exists with regard to talents, though to an inferior extent 

This difference, however, does not prove that ascribed character cannot be relied on 
for correctness in any case, but merely that we are to take into consideration not only the 
observed, but the observers. In extreme cases, indeed, there is nearly general unanimity 
of opinion on the most prominent mental characteristics of an individual. Thus, though 
some would form a much more just conception of Paganini's talents than others, all would 
agree in calling him an extraordinary musician. The same would be true of Canova in 
sculpture, of Raphael in painting, of Matthews in mimicry, of Colburn in arithmetic. All 
would agree that Wurmser was daring. Hare avaricious and blood-thirsty, Eustache be- 
nevolent. But in less strikingly marked characters there is less agreement. The observed 
may belong to a country, a party, or a family, against which the observer has prejudices. 
or for which he has predilections. His judgment would be likely to take the hue of his 
feelings. Impartiality, therefore, is the first requisite in an observer. Again, if a man 
be just, benevolent, and courageous, it will be impossible for him to go through life with- 
out wounding the pride-, and in many ways crossing the path of the cruel, the knavish, 
and the mean, who, in revenge and self-defence, will attempt to impugn his motives, 
and blacken his character. The evidence of such men is obviously inadmissible, except, 
indeed, on the principle that their condemnation, when rightly understood, is hhih eulogy. 
The next requisite, therefore, to a good judge of character is, that he should himself be a 
moral and high-minded man. He should, too, be a man of good intellect, of accurate 
observation, nice discrimination, and sound judgment. And, finally, he should have 
opportunities of seeing the man whom he judges, under diverse circumstances. The 
average opinion of such men, with such opportunities, on all mental qualities, and the 
general agreement of these and others in the most strongly marked qualities, may be 
relied upon with safety. They form, indeed, the standard of comparison to which the 
phrenologist appeals, as that by which the correctness of his own decisions must be deter- 
mined. 



APPENDIX. 379 

Of the natural character of man, phrenology enables us to judge in almost every 
healthy subject of proper age, with closely approximating accuracy, from organization 
alone, by first estimating the relative sizo of the organs ; secondly, their mutual influence; 
and, lastly, their general constitutional activity. The obstacles in the way of porfect accu- 
racy are the following : 

1. Besides the thirty-six organs with which we aro acquainted, there are others with 
which we are unacquainted. The impossibility of ascertaining the entire natural charac- 
ter while ignorant of some of the elementary powers of the organization, is obvious- 
Here, however, it must bo remembered, that what is perfectly ascertained is not the less 
certain because of that which is unascertained. 

2. Originally the want of parallelism botween the tables of the skull is very slight, but 
owing to increased or diminished activity, organs often increase or diminish in size, occa- 
sioning in the skull a slight degree of absorption or deposition, rendering it a line or two 
thinner or thicker than in its previous condition ; and this change may occur internally, no 
external change taking place. The skull of Spurzheim well illustrates this remark 
Further, as the organs of the brain constitute one mass of yielding consistency, it is quite 
possible for slight changes of size to occur in neighboring organs, unattended by cranial 
alteration; one organ occupying a little more space, and another somewhat loss than in 
their previous condition. 

3. In adult age, the frontal sinus may be larger than usual, and may lead the phrenolo- 
gist to place too high an estimate on a few of the perceptive faculties. 

4. Brains differ in quality, and the power of retentiveness differs greatly in different 
individuals ; for these differences we have, it is thought, no well-ascertained external 
signs. 

5. The brain is composed of two substances, an external or cineritious, and an internal 
or medullary. Facts have been observed which give probability to a doctrine long ago 
surmised, that the internal is merely the conveyor, while the external is the recipient of 
sensation and the generator of action. That the cineritious portion is, in fact, the organ 
of the mind. Now this cineritious matter differs in thickness in different brains; and 
though a large rounded form of the coronal region, great size of the anterior lobe, and 
great size of the posterior and basilar regions, are principally occasioned by increased 
thickness of the cineritious matter, yet in brains of the same general size, this matter dif- 
fers in depth in a way of which we have no precise indications. 

It may be that this last difficulty being solved, the difficulties concerning quality and 
retentiveness would also be solved, for I deem it very probable that these depend on a 
highly toned temperament and large convolutions ; the large convolutions being essential 
to retentiveness, and both large convolutions and vivid temperament to the quality which 
gives great genius. I ground this conjecture on the fact, that in Lord Byron, Sir Walter 
Scott, Cuvier, and Mr. N., (See pp. 117, 214,) the temperament was high, though differ- 
ing in intensity ; (Byron's being much more vivid, for instance, than Scott's;) all had con- 
volutions of extraordinary depth, and all were remarkable, though in different degrees, 
for fineness of quality and retentiveness of memory. What increases the probability of 
this conjecture, as regards retentiveness, is the fact that this quality was not manifested 
by the small organs in any of these individuals. 

In judging of natural character, it could rarely happen that an able phrenologist 
would commit any great error from the operation of any, or even all of the preceding obsta- 
cles, but still they are elements of uncertainty which should be constantly kept in view. 
It is the natural character chiefly that the rational phrenologist attempts to estimate from 
external indications alone ; but the actual character may differ widely in two persons 
whose natural character is the same. 

Be it ever remembered that the brain is a part of the living organized body, and that, 
like all other parts, it is nourished, grows, decays, and perishes ; like them, too, it may bo 
rendered inert, languid, feeble, and irregular, by disease, or insufficient food or exercise ; 
like them, it maybe stimulated to unwonted energy, or, by judicious exerciie, bo increased 
in aptitude, vigor, and certainty of action. What is true of the brain as a whole, is true 
of its several organs. By means of its structure and vitality, each one is endowed with 
an appetency for certain objects or conditions, and with the power of recognising them. 
These constitute what may be called the stimulus of an organ; and it craves for this stim- 
ulus with an importunity, or demands it with an energy proportionate to its size. But it 



380 APPENDIX. 

may be adequately, too feebly, or too highly stimulated, and the results will vary accord- 
ingly. If an organ be kept, as far as possible, in a state of quiescence, it loses in strength, 
in ease, and efficiency of action ; but adequate and judicious training increases the com- 
pactness, strength, and tone of its fibres ; its aptitude for ready, certain, and energetic 
action. Hence, could two organs of like size and constitutional activity be subjected, at 
a given time, under like circumstances, to equally powerful exciting causes, the one 
would greatly exceed the other in ease, energy, and correctness. Of such differences in 
training we have no external sign, and, as a guide to them, the rational phrenologist 
would inquire into the circumstances and education of the individual examined. The 
natural character, as far as it can be known from organization— education and external in- 
fluences being given — he can solve the problem of actual character, not indeed with pre- 
cise, but with approximating accuracy. The non-phrenologist cannot commence the so- 
lution anterior to experience ; he would not have the slightest reason for stating whether 
the individual were a Byng or a Nelson, a Burr or a Washington, an image-maker or a 
Canova, a nostrum- vender or a Hunter, a street-brawler or a Burke. 

The phrenologist can, indeed, often tell the remarkable traits of a man's character with 
considerable precision, without reference to his education. If an organ be very deficient 
in size, no amount of the most judicious training can make it display great energy, and 
when the phrenologist observes such an organ, he can say, with the most perfect confi- 
dence, and without reference to previous training and external influences, that in all actions 
for which its energetic play is requisite, the individual will manifest feebleness or imbe- 
cility. If an organ, on the contrary, greatly predominate in size, it hungers, as it were, 
for stimulus, and responds to it, when presented, with such vigorous, rapid, and pleasur- 
able energy, that its tendency is to overpower the appeals of the weaker organs, and re- 
duce them to subservient activity ; and though judicious training may greatly modify this 
tendency, the organ will still exert a powerful influence over the character, and this the 
phrenologist can state without the slightest danger of mistake. Starting from these ex- 
tremes, we proceed with less and less certainty as to actual character, till we come to 
men in whom the organs are so equably poised, that from the organization alone, little 
positive can be inferred. Placed amid elevating and refining influences, where Con- 
scientiousness, Benevolence, Veneration, and the other sentiments are highly stimulated, 
and where the propensities have lawful means of gratification, such men may sustain a 
reputation for justice, piety, and benevolence; surrounded by obnoxious influences, in 
which the higher sentiments are little or not at all stimulated, but in which Acquisitiveness, 
Destructiveness, and the other propensities are brought into energetic action, they may 
be debauchees, drunkards, robbers, or murderers. This is the class who often surprise 
not only others, but themselves, by the greatness and rapidity of their changes from evil 
to good, and from good to evil ; the class from which the revivalists gather their brightest 
trophies — trophies, alas ! which in a little while have too generally to be numbered with the 
backsliders. The actual character undergoes marked revolutions ; the natural character 
remains the same, its distinctive characteristic being its liability to be strongly modified by 
external circumstances and education. This the phrenologist can positively state from 
the organization alone, but he cannot tell whether, for the time being, the individual 
should be ranked among the vicious or the virtuous, the "sinners" or the "saints;" he 
can tell, however, with certainty, that no amount of moral training, or religious excite- 
ment, will render him equally virtuous, excellent, and amiable, as if his moral sentiments 
had been one third greater, or his propensities one third less. 

The above remarks apply more particularly to the moral character ; they are equally 
applicable to the intellect separately considered. Training and education, by establishing 
combinations in activity, and also by increasing vivacity of action, in an intellect whose 
organs are pretty equally developed, may bring out some talents highly, and leave others 
comparatively dormant. From an examination of the head in such cases, the rational 
phrenologist does not pretend to say what organs have the greatest vivacity of action, or 
what have been trained to work in associated activity. He merely says that the individual 
has certain general powers, equally developed, which qualify him for a wide field of ac- 
tion, and that it depends on his training and instruction in what line his strength lies. 

We cannot close these observations without alluding to certain practices too prevalont 
in society. It is well known that persons, calling themselves " practical phrenologists," 



APPENDIX. 381 

travel through every city, town, and village of this and other countries, asserting and pub- 
lishing their ability to ascertain actual character, in every instance, from cerebral devel- 
opment alone, and their readiness to do so for a fee. Many of these are men deficient 
alike in knowledge, experience, and high moral principle. Such are beneath respectful 
remonstrance ; they are swindlers, and they know that they are swindlers, meriting what- 
ever odium and punishment is due to those who obtain money under false pretences. But 
some well-meaning phrenologists seem to have deceived themselves into the belief that 
they really possessed such power ; but I deem experience, and the considerations which I 
have presented, sufficient to prove that this is in no case absolutely true, and that in many 
cases it is absolutely false. An able phrenologist may, indeed, even blindfolded, tell the 
prominent mental traits from a very strongly marked head. But to boast of possessing 
the ability to ascertain actual character from organic signs, in every instance, shows a 
lack of knowledge or honesty. And while the ignorant and credulous may bo set agape 
at such an announcement, supported by a few " good hits," to use the language of the 
craft, others are apt to be disgusted by this charlatanry, to consider all as the result of 
preconcerted arrangement, and to receive the false and baneful impression that phrenol- 
ogy is akin to juggling and palmistry. 

In the foregoing observations, be it remarked, there is nothing condemnatory of private 
examinations for the sake of information or mutual instruction. There is nothing, 
indeed, which would militate against men of extensive knowledge and experience, good 
judgment, and high moral feeling, devoting themselves, under proper restrictions, to 
practical phrenology as a business, even, provided that they attend carefully to the condi- 
tions before alluded to, and state fully in every case the uncertainties which may exist. 
They might be of great service by classifying criminals and superintending their moral 
training ; by aiding in the moral treatment of the insane, by pointing out any strikingly 
deficient or predominant organ in children, laying down a course of procedure for improv- 
ing the organization, and even by assisting adults in their efforts for self-knowledge. But 
it would doubtless be far better that teachers and the superintendents of prisons and insane 
asylums, should be able phrenologists, than that "Practical Phrenology" should be ren- 
dered a distinct profession. Let us be careful, however, to discriminate between the use 
and abuse of manipulation, and between the worthy and unworthy among manipulators, 
lest injury and injustice should be done. My opinion of the course which phrenologists 
should pursue in these matters, is embodied in a preamble and resolution which I offered 
for the approval of the New- York Phrenological Society, January, 1837, and which I here 
insert. 

"Phrenology has been much retarded by incompetent men lecturing upon it, and pre- 
tending to tell character from external development. It is natural that men should be 
desirous to know what character phrenology awards them, and as natural that pretenders 
should turn this curiosity to pecuniary advantage ; and, seeing that phrenologists cannot 
prevent men from engaging in this employment, the only alternatives appear to be, by 
stamping the employment itself as disreputable, to have phrenology publicly represented 
by dishonest and incompetent men; or, by acknowledging such employment to be reputa- 
ble if properly pursued, to throw open the business to the talented and conscientious. 
Further, it appears to us that phrenology, to be extensively useful, must be practically 
applied ; that it may be so applied, there must be those who can manipulate accurately, 
and judge correctly of the effect of combination and temperament ; that to acquire this 
ability, requires much study and outlay of time and money ; and it is as unreasonable to 
expect that * practical phrenologists' shall gratuitously dispose of their time, and of the 
knowledge thus acquired, as it is to expect the lawyer or physician to practice without 
fee. Therefore, 

" Resolved, That this Society would encourage rather than discountenance such prac- 
tical phrenologists as are competent to perform the duty which they undertake, and are 
conscientious in its discharge. But they would mark with the strongest disapprobation 
the conduct of such as, acquainted with little of phrenology but the terms, go about 
fleecing the public, and bringing our science into disrepute." 

The above preamble and resolution were rejected by a majority, but I continue to think 
that the views contained in them are essentially sound. 



382 APPENDIX. 



No. II. 

The incident mentioned on pages 278-9, is inaccurately related. I correct it by copy- 
ing the following extract from a letter addressed to me by Mr. Combe : 

" I have received a letter from my brother, Dr. Andrew Combe, in which he corrects 
the details of my account of the affection of Cautiousness from a fright in a sailing yacht* 
He says that ' Mr. H., after sailing about the Frith of Clyde for some time, started, towards 
the middle of October, foi the Frith of Forth, via the Pentland Frith. He had two men 
and a boy, but only one of the men could, in the very least, be trusted. The weather 
proved very boisterous, the winds contrary, with heavy gales. The consequence was, a 
passage of a month in length, of frequent danger, and of constant and unremitting watch- 
fulness by night as well as by day. Having no dependence on any one but himself, Mr. H. 
was kept on tenter-hooks of excitement and caution, which roused and gratified his love 
of power by overcoming difficulties. But the continued want of repose and excited 
activity of Cautiousness brought on sleeplessness, accompanied by a vague but deep sense 
of apprehension after his perils were over ; and he continued to feel the apprehension for 
some weeks, without being able to name an object that caused it. The excitement 
gradually subsided by the use of the bath, exercise, horseback, &c.' " 

"The incident," continues Mr. Combe, "reported in the Lectures was mentioned to 
me by Mr. H. himself. My brother subsequently told me of the affection of his organ of 
Cautiousness, and I connected the two as cause and effect. In this I was in error ; but 
you will see there was no mistake in the main matter, viz., fright producing involuntary 
and permanent over-excitement of Cautiousness." 



INDEX. 



Abercrombie, Dr., 118. 

Acquisitiveness, 63, 166, IT*?, 3(50. 

Activity of the faculties, 97, 114. 
Modes of. 277, 28 1. Deranged, 
319. Excessive, 3:27. How to 
diminish the, 339. Virtuous, the 
source of happiness, 354. In 
Austria, 3.54. In Prussia, 356. 
In Great Britain, 357. In the 
United States, 360. In what 
way promoted, 364. On what 
dependant, 377. 

Actors, 165, 225. 

Adanson, quotation from, 158. 

Adhesiveness, 63, ]44. 

Advice to investigators, 42. 

Age, influence of, 104. 

Agesilaus, anecdote of, 31. 

Air, 316, 328. 

Akensidc, quotation from 215. 

Albertus Magnus, 48. 

Alimentiveness, 161. 

Algebra, 245, 249. 

Amativeness, 40, 63, 136. 

American Phrenological Journal, 

Amphibious animals, 27. 

Amusements, 280. 

Anatomy, 120 ; and Physiology, 

349. 
Angelo, Michael, 23. 
Anglo-Saxons, 168. 
Animals observe the laws of health, 

313. 
Annals of Phrenology, 79. 
Anti-phrenologists, 217. 
Ants," 28. 
Ape, 126, 184. 
Arabian Nights' Entertainments, 

211. 
Archery, 236. 
Ardent spirits, 96. 



Anosto, 268. 

Aristocracy, 357. 

Aristotelian philosophy, 13, 18. 

Aristotle, 19, 55. 

Arithmetic, 245, 249. 

Arnott, 98. 

Arrogance, 1?<>. 

Artists, 165, 293. 

Ass, anecdote of, 243. 

Atheists, 124. 

Attachment for life, 64, 146. 

Audubon, the ornithologist, 239, 

Austrian government, 58, 354. 

Baboon, 153. 

Bacchus, 49. 

Baconian philosophy, 17. 

Bacon, Lord, 16,20, 54, 221, 268, 

249, 290. 
Bacon, Roger, 20. 
Baird, Principal, 374. 
Barclay, Dr., 90, 92, 171. 
Bard's epitaph, 201. 
Beaver, the, 172. 
Beddoes, Dr., 348. 
Bedford, Rev. Mr., 286. 
Bees, 28, 105, 244, 342. 
Bell, Dr. John, 78, 326. 
Bellingham, 156, 206. 
Btiievolence, 63, 155, 189. 
Bichat, 47, 48, 56. 
Bidder, George, the calculator, 

244, 245. 
Biddle, Mr. Nicholas, 121. 
Bile, 315. 

Bilious temperament, 112 
Biot, 54. 

Birds, 28, 29, 107, 143, 342. 
Blackwood's Magazine, 59. 
Blind persons, 239. 
Blood, 313, 319, 340. 
Blumenbach, 56, 98, 109, 135. 



384 



INDEX. 



Boar, 29. 

Boerhaave, 48. 

Boileau, 222. 

Bonaparte, 111. 

Bones, 106, 312, 321. 

Bonnet, 48. 

Botany, 230, 293. 

Bouillaud, on phrenology, 87. 

Boys, 29, 138, 144, 213. 

Bradley, Dr., 54. 

Brain, 96, 116. Opinions of, 47. 
Functions of, 51. Organ of 
mind, 95, 334. Popular notions 
concerning, 98. A congeries 
of organs. 100. Anatomy of, 
120. Form of, 124. Formation 
of, 124. Structure of, 125. Ge- 
nerator of nervous energy, 319. 

Bravoes, 148. 

Breath, 317. 

British, 178, 202. 

Brougham, 113, 267. 

Broussais, on phrenology, 87. 

Brown, Dr. Thomas, 148, 203, 
221, 266. 

Brown, Mr., on language, 262. 

Bruce, King Robert, 111, 149, 187, 
195 203. 

Brunell, 173, 235, 267. 

Bull, the, 29. 

Bull-dogs, 151. 

Bully, 182. 

Bump, on the use of the term, 134. 

Burke, Edmund, 266, 222, 297. 

Burke, the murderer, 156. 

Burmese, 304. 

Burns, Robert, 31, 111, 141, 147, 
300. 

Byron, 157, 224, 591. 

Cabinet-makers, 174. 
Caldwell, Dr., 49, 60, 79, 382. 
Camper, 56, 135. 
Canova, 172, 217, 224, 229, 261, 

293. 
Capen, Mr., 62, 70. 
Carbonic acid gas, 317. 
Carmichael, Mr., 70. 
Carniverous animals, 153, 157. 
Castor and Pollux, 146. 
Cat, 28, 105, 126, 146, 153, 170, 

193, 314. 
Causality, 265. 



Cautiousness, 63, 112. 
Cerebellum, 125, 128. Combe on 

the, 25. 
Cervantes, 222. 
Ceylonese, 149. 
Chalmers, 134, 160, 217, 235, 264, 

265, 295. 
Chambers, on phrenology, 84. 
Character, its estimation from de- 
velopment, 374. 
Charibs, 39, 141, 156, 168, 219, 

321. 
Chaucer, 220. 
Chenivix, 60, 70, 
Child-nurse, requisite qualities of 

a, 282. 
Children, treatment of, 321. 
Chinese, 232, 239, 304 
Christ, 180, 195. 
Churches, Scotch, 329. 
Chyle, 315. 
Chyme, 315. 

Cincinnati Daily News, 60. 
Cineritious matter, 126, 378. 
Cingalese boy, 155, 185. 
Circumspection, 188. 
Clarke, Dr., 203. 
Classification, 64. 
Cleanliness, 321. 
Clergy, 374. 
Cline, Mr., 96. 
Clinton Hall, 318. 
Cloquet, on phrenology, 87. 
Coates, Dr. B. R., 78. 
Cobbett, 220, 268. 
Cocks, 148. 

Colburn, Zerah, 23, 244. 
Cold, effects of, 322. 
Coleridge, 287. 
Colman, iv. 
Colour, 63, 237. 
Coloured asylum of New- York, 

316. 
Columbus, 242. 
Combativeness, 63, 148, 155. 
Combe, Dr., 64, 162, 257. 
Combe, Mr. George, iii, v, 64, 74, 

92, 99, 130, 246, 273, 320, 349, 

383. Letter from, v. 
Combinations, 296, 341. 
Commissions, 67, 127. 
Common sense, 103, 290, 364. 
Comparison, 63, 263. 



INDEX. 



385 



Conccntrativeness, 1 "2 1 , 128, 143. 
Conception, 284, 
Conolley, Dr., 111,119,124 
Conscientiousness, 1'Jl, *2()3. 
Consciousness, J 1(5, Xi71. Double, 

Constancy, 202. 
Construct iwncss, 63, 171. 
Contractility, 31!). 
Consumption, 333. 
Convolutions, 124, 125, 127. 
Cook, Captain, 172, 215, 242. 
Copernicus, 20. 

Cordonnier, Francois, 176, 224. 
Corpora Olivaria, 128, 129. 
Corpora Pyramidalia, 128. 
Corpora Quadrigemina, 237. 
Corpora Rcstiformia, 128, 129. 
Corpus Callosum, 127. 
Cosmas Indopleustes, 14. 
Courage, 148. 
Cowper, 177. 
Cows, 31. 
Cox, Mr., 75. 

Craig, Mr., 118. 

Crampton, on phrenology, 84. 

Craniology, 62. 

Cricket, 28. 

Criminal jurisprudence, 158. 

Crime, not increased by education, 

370. 
Criminals, treatment of, 371. 
Crocodile, 27. 
Crook, 64. 

Crocket, David, on languages, 348. 
Cromwell, 111. 
Crura, the, 67, 128. 
Cuckoo, 28. 
Cudworth, 203. 
Cullen, 98. 
Curran, 254, 255, 282, 295. 

Dancing, 254. 

Dandy, 183. 

Deaf and dumb, 254. 

Dean, 138. 

Decay and Renovation, 312. 

Defoe, 230. 

Deformity, cure of, 323. 

Dementia, 99. 

Derangement, 97, 112, 141, 235, 

257, 261, 278 
Derham, 196. 



33 



Destructivcncss, 63, 112, 153, 
Determination, 202. 
Detraction, 178. 
Digestive system, 314, 328. 

Disease, 313. 

Dispositions' and talents, 119, 122, 

292. 
Distance, 233. 

!)<)<M, Dr., 187,202. 

Doer, the, 29, 108, 126, 146, 153, 

193,213. 
Dolphin, 55. 

Dorsey, on phrenology, 86. 
Douglas, 233, 237. 
Dowie's shoes, 322. 
Drama, the, 279. 
Dress-makers, 174. 
Drunkenness, 161. 
Dreaming, 102, 141, 286. 
Ducks, 31. 
Duelling, 282. 
Dunn, Mr., 242, 293. 
Duodenum, 315. 
Dura mater, 130. 
Dutch traveller, anecdote of, 41. 

Eagle, 108. 

Ear, 108, 256. 

Earth, figure of, 14. History of, 

154. 
Ebel, 55. 
Economy, 330. 
Edinburg, 58. 
Edinburg Phrenological Journal, 

78. 
Edinburg Phrenological Society, 

78. 
Edinburg Quarterly Review, 58, 

90, 98, 11. 
Edmonson, on weight, 236. 
Edouart, Mons., 160. 
Educability, 63. 
Education, 123, 183, 199, 260, 283, 

233. In Scotland, 346. In the 

United States, 347. In Prussia, 

356. In England and Scotland, 

359. 
Ehronbcrg, 48. 
Elephant, 55, 107. 
Elliotson, Dr., 76, 78, 268 
Ellis, on phrenology, 85. 
Engineer, necessary organs for an, 

293. 



386 



INDEX. 



England, church of, 358. 

English, the, 110, 165, 181, 231. 

Engravers, 173, 226. 

Envy, 178. 

Esquimaux, 39, 139, 141, 144, 219, 

239, 249, 328. 
Estimative evidence, 135. 
Ethiopians, 109. 
Europeans, 110. 
Eustache, the negro, 191. 
Examination, 275. 
Experiments, 17. 
Eye, 107. 

Facial angle, 56. 

Facts, presented and produced, 16. 

When isolated, of small value, 

17. 
Fainting, 96. 
falcon, the, 244. 
Fancy, 103. 

Fassati, on phrenology, 87. 
Fear, 101, 185. 
Feelings, 129, 136, 341. 
Fenelon, 190. 
Ferguson, Mr., 233. 
Fibres, 67. 

Fine arts, the study of the, 325. 
Fisher, Clara, large imitation, 224. 
Fisher's, Mr., plan of teaching, 335. 
Fishes, 27, 107. 
Flat-head Indians, 156, 306. 
Flogging, 329, 337. 
Flourens, 139. 
Fluids, 315. 
Fodere, 103. 
Food, changes in, 314. 
Foreheads, retreating, 231. 
Form, 63, 131, 232. 
Form of the brain, 124. 
Forster, Dr. Thomas, 62. 
Fortitude, 202. 

Fox, the, 28, 29, 146, 153, 170. 
Fouche, 166. 
Franklin, Dr., Ill, 172, 217, 222, 

251, 265, 267, 295. 
Frazer, 259. 
Frederick II., 262. 
French, the, 165,181,185,202,231. 
French revolution, 267, 363. 
Frontal sinus, 131. 
Fuller, Mr., on the organ of Wit, 

223, 



G., Mr., 287. 

Galen, 55. 

Galileo, 14, 23, 57, 93, 242. 

Gall, 22, 68, 54, 119, 120, 121, 138. 
Discoveries of, 63. Petition and 
remonstrance of, 68. Deprecia- 
tion of, 69. Head of, 135, 268. 

Gaming, 209, 360. 

Geese, 31. 

Genius, 23, 101, 513. 

Geography, 242. 

Geometry, 245, 249, 343. 

Georget, 109. 

Germans, 256. 

Gibbon, 259, 264. 

Gibson, Mrs., two pupils of, 257. 

Gilbert, 20. 

Gillispie, 74. 

Girls, 29, 144. Education of, 368 

Gladiator, 50. 

Glass-blowing, 235. 

Gluttony, 161. 

Godman, Dr., 79. 

Gordon, 44, 48. 

Gottfried, 156, 206. 

Graminivorous animals, 153. 

Greeks, ancient, 173, 215, 229, 281. 

Greenlanders, 139, 246. 

Gregory, Dr., on phrenology, 83. 

Growth of organs, 78, 339, 378. 

Greyhounds, 151. 

Griffiths, small benevolence of, 191. 

H., Mrs., 176, 201. 
Haggart, 150, 201, 206. 
Haller, 48. 

Hallyburton, D. G., on phrenolo- 
Handel, 23, 255. 
Happiness, 169, 279. 
Hare, 156, 206, 216, 303. 
Harmony, 256. 
Harrison, 61. 
Harvey, 51, 57, 94. 
Hat, 111. 

Haydon, 217, 222, 239, 294. 
Head, size of. Form of, 115. 

Health, 313, 333. 
Heaman, 167. 
Heart, 124, 319. 
Henrv IV., 31, 190. 
Hcn^ 31. 
Herschel, 54, 173. 



INDEX. 



337 



Hette, 188. 

Hindoos, lio, 135, 151, 156, 163, 

Hippocrates, 48. 

Hobbes, 190,203. 

Hogg, the poet, 289. 

Homer, 50, 217. 

Hood, Mr., a case re po rted by, 261. 

Hope, 121, 186,208. 

Hoppe, 64, 75, 143. 

Hone, 29, 107, 146, 151,193,313. 

Horsemanship, 236. 

Howe, Mr., 337. 

Humboldt, the mathematician, 

244,259. 
Hume, David, 203, 279. 
Hume, Joseph, M. P., 116, 134, 

217, 2:20, 252, 292. 
Humour, 1G5, 224. 
Hunter, Dr. John, 235, 243. 
Hunter, on phrenology, 87. 
Hunting, 154. 
Hutchison, 203. 
Hydrocephalus, 67. 
Hypochondria, 163. 

Ideality, 63,216. 

Idiocy, 102, 110, 194, 307. 

Imagination, 215, 285. 

Imitation, 64, 224. 

Immortality, 209, 271. 

Individuality, 121, 131, 229. 

Inductive philosophy, 17, 18, 20. 

Infanticides, 33. 

Infant schools, 344, 346. 

Infatuation, 202. 

Inhabitiveness, 64, 143. 

In medio tutissimus ibis principle, 

42. 
Insanity, 36, 112, 158, 163, 169, 

174, 179, 180, 187, 194, 200. 

Treatment of, 372. 
Insects, 27. 
Instinct, 342. 
Instruction, 338, 342. Modes of, 

343. 
Intellectual faculties, 128, 136, 

227, 342. 
Intensity, 277. 
Intestines, 315. 
Intoxication, 236. 
Irish. nen, 150, 303. 
Irish porter, anecdote of, 289. 
Irritability, 319. 



Irving, L80. 

Italians, L65, 173, 256, 

Jarvis, Jacob, 190, 224. 

Jeffrey, Lord, 109. 

Jeffrey's respirator, 331. 

.li liner, 54. 

John, of Salsbury, 20.. 

Johnson, Dr. .lames, on phrenolo- 
gy, 85, 

Johnson, Dr. Samuel, 101, 259, 
264. 

Jones, Mr. Silas, 239. 

Joseph, Mr., 217, 293. 

Jud'nnent, 290. 

Jupiter, 49, 50. 

Justice, 204. 

Kaimes, Lord, 167, 254, 268. 
Kalmucks, the, 169. 
Kant, 266. 
Kepler, 242. 
King of Siam, 41. 
Knight of Malta, 169. 
Knowing faculties, 227 

Labour, should not be excessive, 
321. 

Ladies, Grecian and Roman, 281. 
Of America, 274. Address to, 
321. 

La Fontaine, 165. 

Language, 63, 118, 259. Of ani- 
mals, 263. 

Laughter, 222. 

Lavater, 56. 

Laws of honour, 205. 

Laws of nature, 199. 

Lectures at Boston, vi. At New- 
York, vii, ix. At Philadelphia, 
viii. At Wilmington, viii. 

Leslie, 114, 250. 

Linguist, the, 226. 

Linn, 138. 

Lion, the, 153, 171. 

Liver, 106. 

Lobes of the brain, 125, 129. 

Locality, 63, 131,241. 

Lockc/116, 220. 

Logic, 20. 

London Phrenological Society, 78. 

London Quarterly Review, 59. 

Louis XVIII., 179. 



388 



INDEX. 



Love of Approbation, 63, 180, 361. 

Love of Life, 64. 

Love of our neighbour, 373. 

Love of Young, 26, 63, 140, 187. 

Ludovico Dolci, 48, 103. 

Lunatic Asylum of New- York, 

330. Of Vienna, 355. 
Lungs, 106, 316. 
Lymphatic temperament, 112, 337. 

McClellan, Dr., 128. 

McDowell, Dr., 61. 

Machine-making, 172. 

Mac Innes, 147, 150, 307. 

Mac Intosh, 203. 

Mackenzie, Sir G., 75, 83 

Mackintosh, on phrenology, 85. 

Macknish, on phrenology, 83. 

Maclaren, on phrenology, 84. 

Mac Laughlin, 235. 

Madame de Stael, 59. 

Madonna, 146. 

Magpie, 146. 

Mammalia, 28. 

Mandaville, 203. 

Mania, 99. 

Mares, 31. 

Marryatt, Captain, 254. 

Martin, Rev. Mr., 138, 176, 187, 

201,210,217. 
Martin, the, 29. 
Mastoid process, 134. 
Materialism, 269. 
Mathematics, 249. 
Matrimonial strife, 145. 
Matthews, Charles, 225. 
Maxwell, 303, 307, 379. 
Measurements, 274. 
Medical and Surgical Journal, vi. 
Medulla Oblongata, 128. 
Medullary matter, 126, 378. 
Melancholia, 112. 
Memory, 103, 283, 288. 
Mental philosophy, importance of, 

364. 
Mercantile Library Association, 

viii. 
Metaphysicians, 196, 203, 259. 
Meyer, 241. 
Migration of birds, 244. 
Milne, James, 237. 
Mind, various opinions of, 115. 
Mineralogy, 230. 



Minerva, 49. 

Ministers, 375. 

Miser, the, 179. 

Mitchell, 138. 

Monkeys, 27, 28, 55, 266. 

Monro, 67, 109, 135. 

Moore, 144, 260, 263. 

Moral faculties and intellect, gov- 
ern the propensities, 292. 

Moral patients, 310. 

Moral responsibility, 306. 

Morier's Travels, anecdote from, 
30. 

Mortality of children, 314. 

Morton, 161, 306. 

Motory tract of nerves, 129. 

Movements of the heavenly bodies, 
14. 

Mozart, 23 

Mules, 184 

Muller, 60. 

Muscles, 130, 312. 

Music, 254, 256, 264. 

Musicians, 226. 

Mussey, professor, 61. 

N., Mr., 117, 214. 

Names, 62. 

Napoleon, 151, 164, 173, 205, 217, 

229, 267, 307. 
Natural language, 130, 142. 
Negro, 141,^304. 
Nerves, 106, 108, 312. 
Nervous concentration, effects of, 

319. 
Nervous temperament, 112, 336. 
New Hollanders, 172, 215, 219. 
New, love of the, 212. 
Newton, 23, 24, 54, 57, 94, 242, 

249. 
N. Y. Daily and Weekly Whig, iii. 
New Yorker, iv. 
New Zealander, 303. 
Nitrogen, 317. 
North American Indian, 109, 178, 

242, 246, 305, 328. . 
North American Review, 59. 
Nostalgia, 146. 
Nostrils, 107. 

Novum Organon, Bacon's, 19. 
Number, 63, 244. 
Nutrition, 314. 



INDKW 



389 



Oberliri, pastor, 902. 
Observation, 1 1. IT. 
t Abso lvin g faculties, 997. 
Obstinacy, 909. 

Occipital spine, 136. 

Opium, effects of, 96. 

Optic nerve, 67. 

Orators, 2i)r>. 

Order, tit. 

Organs, situation of, 76. Growth 

of, 78. 
Ormerod, Ann, 255. 
Otto, on phrenology, 12. 
Ourang Outang, 170. 
Ovid, 217. 
Owen, Ro"bert, 167. 
Ox, 107, 146. 
Oxygen, 317. 

Painting, 218, 226. 

Paley, 196, 203. 

Pancreatic juice, 315. 

Panic, 186. 

Pantomime, 142. 

Paradise Lost, Cobbett's opinion of, 
220. 

Park, Mungo, 242. 

Parliament House, ventilation of, 
317. 

Parricide, 153. 

Parrv, Captain, 39, 157, 202, 239, 
297. 

Pascal, 23. 

Pathology, 117. 

Perception, 284. 

Pericles, large head of, 49. 

Periodical press, 81. 

Permeability of animal tissue, 318. 

Perpendicularity, sense of, 236. 

Perseverance, 202. 

Perspective, 233. 

Peruvians, 110, 215, 229. 

Peter de Montagnana, 

Philoprogenitiveness, 26, 63, 140, 
1ST. 

Philosophical language, 260. 

Phrenological chart and bust, 76. 

Phrenological mode of investiga- 
tion, 13. 

Phrenological society of Edin- 
burgh,' 78. Of Paris, 78. Of 
London, 78. Of Boston, 79. 
33 



Of New York, 715. Of Balti- 

more, 80. Of Washington, 80. 

Phrenology, abuse of, 20, *i7i>. [m- 
portance of, ;20, 379, Founda- 
tions of, 22. Discovery of, 22. 

History of, 17. Applications of, 
68. Meaning of, 93. Reception 

of, 58, 93, 37o. Method of in- 
vestigating, 13, 135. Applica- 
tion to United States, 353, 

Physical education, 312. 

Physicians, 375. 

Physiological lectures, $48. 

Pi a mater, 130. 

Pierquin, Dr., 98. 

Pig, the, 314. 

Pitt, Wm, 251, 263, 267, 287, 295. 

Plato, 56. 

Playfair, 93. 

Plurality of organs, 100, 323. 

Poetry, 217. 

Poisons, 97. 

Polecat, the, 29. 

Pons Varolii, 67, 128, 129. 

Pope, 23, 164, 210, 252, 259, 264. 

Pores, 312. 

Portrait painters, 232. 

Practical phrenologists, 380. 

Pratt, Miss, character of, 230. 

Preachers, 157, 177. 

Presentation of objects, 343. 

Pride, 182. 

Printing, 19, 172. 

Prize-flghts,150, 281. 

Promisers, great, 209. 

Propensities, 136, 140, 277. 

Proverbs, 264. 

Prussia, 356. 

Pylorus, 315. 

Pyramidal bodies, 67. 

Pythagoras, 23, 48. 

Quackery, 373. 
Quails, king of, 31. 
Quality of brain, 378. 
Quentin Durward, 164. 
Quoits, 235. 

Rabbit, 153. 
Rabelais, 222. 

Racine, 222. 
Ramus, Peter, 13. 
Rapidity, 277. 



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